Sanki Assoudi: Six years in prison after appeal – war for trade union rights!

Sanki Assoudi: Six years in prison after appeal – war for trade union rights!

In a far-reaching ruling, the Cour d'appel de Tunis The sentence of Sanki Assoudi, the former regional general secretary of the UGTT (General Union of Tunisian Workers) in Kasserine, was reduced to six years. Assoudi was originally sentenced to 10 years in prison after being accused of corruption and falsifying academic certificates. Even if the sentence was reduced, his guilt in the allegations remains unaffected.

The judgment relates to his previous functions in theSociété Nationale de Cellulose et de Papier Alfa (SNCPA). In addition, an already imposed sentence of twenty-four years in prison against the company's former managing director was upheld, underlining the seriousness of the allegations. Despite the modified sentence, the chamber also rejected the release of Assoudi and postponed the investigation into his case until November.

Background and repression

In the context of these events, the UGTT is increasingly subject to repression by the Tunisian government. How on LabourNet It is reported that many observers see the government as authoritarian. There have already been a number of arrests within the UGTT who were accused of abusing the right to strike. These measures fit into a broader context in which protests against the government and for trade union rights are taking place.

The economic situation in Tunisia is tense, with a current inflation rate of 7.3 percent and an unemployment rate of 16.4 percent. In response, the UGTT is planning further actions and calling for the release of political prisoners. An upcoming three-day strike at the motorway operating companies shows that the union wants to continue to actively resist.

The future of the UGTT and social dialogue

Despite the challenges, the UGTT, which has over 500,000 members, stands firm and criticizes the government's policies, which seriously jeopardize social dialogue. The wage increases that the government is addressing without negotiating with the UGTT violate Tunisia's labor law, which requires collective bargaining. Furthermore, at least 14 NGOs were suspended for a month, further complicating the situation for activists.

With the current reduction in his prison sentence, Sanki Assoudi remains a central element in a multi-faceted conflict that could have long-term effects on the trade union movement in Tunisia. Given the repressive measures and growing social tensions, the coming months are crucial for the future of the UGTT and its members.