UGTT chief Noureddine Taboubi

Flights were canceled, public transport ground to a halt, and government offices were closed in a nationwide strike by Tunisia's main trade union confederation Thursday.

The Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT) had called on up to three million public sector workers to strike, halting work at 159 state agencies and public companies to demand concessions on salaries and endangered reforms.

The action appeared to be widely observed. A strike by public sector workers at Tunis Airport saw dozens of flights canceled, while public utilities and post offices were closed.

Around 1,000 strike supporters gathered outside UGTT headquarters in central Tunis, singing the national anthem and waving flags.

In a speech, UGTT chief Noureddine Taboubi said the action had been over 96% successful, and blamed the Tunisian government for the collapse of salary negotiations.

"This is a stubborn government which sows discord and spreads false information," Taboubi told the demonstrators.

"We won't stop campaigning, no matter the cost, until our demands are met," he stressed.

Tunisia General strike get’s into full flow in central Tunis. UGTT Finally are setting themselves in direct opposition of this government after repeated talks on pay and economy have failed. pic.twitter.com/8NlMq1e9sR
— Elizia Volkmann (@EliziaVolkmann) June 16, 2022

"Painful reforms"

The strike comes as Tunisia prepares to enter formal talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a new bailout plan for its debt-laden economy.

Tunisians are facing soaring inflation, which hit 7.8% in May, and the UGTT has demanded a new deal to raise public sector salaries, including retroactively for last year.

While its opponents say the UGTT is ignoring the country's deep financial woes, the IMF has made a bailout deal conditional on the trade unions' support.

The Tunisian government has presented a reform plan to the IMF, which includes a freeze on the public sector wage bill, progressive cuts to some subsidies, and the restructuring of publicly owned companies.

But the UGTT has warned against "painful reforms" aimed at pleasing the IMF.

"We're not demanding a pay rise, but a reset to workers' purchasing power to take inflation into account," as well as the scrapping of a 1% social security tax introduced in 2018," Taboubi indicated.

The union has also demanded guarantees that state sector firms, including some monopolies and flag carrier Tunisair, remain publicly owned.