![Headquarters of the General Union of Tunisian Workers (UGTT) in the center of Tunis [Citizen59/Wikipedia]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/2011_10_17-The-headquarters-of-the-UGTT-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
The Secretary-General of Tunisia’s General Labour Union, Hussain Abbasi, has called for support for the country’s public sector institutions in order to strengthen them economically and protect workers’ rights. In a statement posted on the union’s Facebook page, Abbasi also called on the Tunisian government to respect its agreements with the union.
“We will face major challenges in 2017 which will require bold decisions to avoid the collapse of many public sector institutions,” he added. The union official renewed the organisation’s rejection of public and private sector partnerships if they harm the public sector in any way.
According to Abbasi, 2017 will see serious talks regarding the social funds which could face major challenges due to the rising fiscal deficit in the national pension and social security funds. He called for radical reform to save them.