TAP) – At their meeting on Saturday at Carthage Palace, signatories of the Carthage Document discussed a set of proposals for social measures to defuse anger in the Tunisian streets, following the tax and price hikes adopted in the 2018 Finance Act.
“These social measures will help to reduce the pressure on the poor, impoverished and marginalised class, through increasing the minimum guaranteed wage and the retirement pension,” Secretary-General of the Tunisian General Labour Union ( UGTT), Noureddine Tabboubi said after the meeting that saw the absence of Echaab Movement.
While arguing for identifying new options to mobilise financial resources, Tabboubi recommended combating parallel distribution channels and upholding tax justice.
“Young people, especially in working-class neighborhoods, must receive real attention from the state, which is called upon to lend a listening ear to their demands,” he added.
Tabboubi said the Tunisian General Labour Union will hold an economic forum in mid-February to discuss ways to remedy several issues, such as unemployment.
“Dropping the 2018 budget law is an unthinking and irresponsible idea,” Ghannouchi said.
“State reserve funds could solve some problems and create resources without opting for dropping the finance law or cancelling some of its articles,” he added.
President of the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA) Wided Bouchamaoui said participants in the meeting were unanimous in asserting that the compensation fund and the social funds could help to find solutions to the socio-economic problems facing the country.
Leader in Al-Massar party Jounaidi Abdeljaouad pointed out that the signatories of the Carthage Document have persisted in asserting that peaceful protests are a legitimate right away from any agitation or vandalism.
The meeting also tackled the right of the Popular Front to participate in peaceful protests, he added. No one can blame the Popular Front for the acts of violence and vandalism that accompanied these protests, he indicated.
The Carthage Document signatories’ meeting saw the presence of President of the National Union of Tunisian Women Radhia Jerbi.
Source:.tap.info.tn
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