Tunisia's powerful union approves national strike

UGTT union says its highest authority has approved a national strike in public services and state firms at a date which will be announced later.

TUNIS - Tunisia's powerful UGTT union said its highest authority had on Monday approved a national strike in public services and state firms to defend the economic rights of workers, after the government refused to increase wages.

The date of strike would be announced later, Sami Tahri, the spokesman of UGTT union, said.

UGTT Union is a major political player in Tunisia with about a million members and the ability to paralyse the economy with strikes.