Unions representing nine educational bodies organized a sit-in in front of the Ministry of Education to denounce the freezing of negotiations and the non-application of signed agreements. they warn of a worrying deterioration of the education system and demand respect for trade union rights.
In Tunis, the anger of education unions was publicly expressed this Thursday, through a sit-in organized in front of the headquarters of the Ministry of Education.The reasons: the freezing of negotiations, the non-application of already signed agreements, and what the unions describe as repeated violations of trade union rights. Protesters demand the immediate opening of serious discussions with the supervisory authority and the full implementation of commitments made.
Frozen Agreements and Broken Promises
Initiated by nine educational bodies, this mobilization is part of a protest sequence that has been ongoing for several months.Unions denounce a persistent blockage of social dialogue and the lack of implementation of agreements concluded with the ministry, despite their binding nature.
Mohamed Essafi, Secretary General of the General Federation of Secondary education, recalled in a statement to the TAP agency that the agreement signed on May 23, 2023, provides for an annual salary increase of 100 dinars over three years, to take effect from January 2026. However, according to him, the ministry has unilaterally reduced the duration of this agreement by ten months, in flagrant violation of its commitments.
The union leader also insisted on the application of the retroactive effect of promotions from July 1, 2025, believing that any questioning of this achievement constitutes a direct attack on the rights of teachers.
Broken Social Dialogue
The unions accuse the ministry of questioning the very principle of negotiation. Mohamed Essafi strongly criticized the statements of the Minister of Education during the budgetary debates for 2026, stating that the agreements would be “under study.” A position deemed unacceptable by union representatives,for whom a signed agreement cannot be renegotiated but only implemented.
Beyond financial demands, the protesters
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