UGTT, UTICA need to devise stimulus plan

The employer and labour organisations need to devise an economic recovery plan and submit it in the shortest time possible to the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), said President of the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (French: UTICA) Samir Majoul.  
Majoul was speaking on the sidelines of the 25th Congress of the Tunisian General Labour Union (French: UGTT) held in Sfax on February 16-18.

Tunisia is going through an economic crisis which requires “urgent” solutions as well as the  unconditional involvement of all stakeholders. Only an upturn in economic growth, job creation and investment can chart a way out.
Commenting on a meeting convened with the labour union on February 19, Majoul said the date is imminent.considering the urgency of the situation and the presence of the IMF and the WB experts in Tunisia for  talks with Tunisian authorities.
There is also need to keep away from political considerations to address challenges, Majoul said. Public enterprises, he added, are  facing a catastrophic situation that calls for urgent solutions.

Privatisation – a bone of contention with the labour union- had become necessary. He reminded, in this context, of the experiences of several countries, mainly China and Russia.  The rent economy in State institutions and  import monopoly are the priority sectors.
Tunisia has the obligation to live up to its renewable energy commitments as it is facing an energy deficit and skyrocketing hydrocarbon prices. The implementation of a programme to cut carbon dioxide emissions should be a sine qua non condition for collaborating with international partners and exporting to Europe, in particular, UTICA President said. .

The 25th congress  of the labour opinion opened Wednesday in Sfax. Nearly 620 delegates among members of the labour union’s executive bureau and secretaries general of unions, regional chapters and grassroots trade unions are attending the three-day event.
The congress also brings together personalities and guests from organisations in several Maghreb, African and European countries as well as representatives of national organisations, mainly UTICA, the National Bar Association, the National Union of Tunisian Women,  the Tunisian League of Human Rights, the National Union of Tunisian Journalists, etc.