In Tunis, Protest Against Security Forces Union Open Strike
LinkedIn
Print
Protest against open strike in al-Kasbah today
Approximately 1,000 people gathered in al-Kasbah square today, February 2nd, to call for an end to the open strike of the National Union for Security Forces. Slogans like “People want to purge the Ministry of Interior,” and, “Dégage [Leave]” were chanted at the protest today.
The National Union for Security Forces initiated an open strike yesterday, demanding the protection of the government while on duty as well as the improvement of their working conditions.
According to some the protesters, the demands of the union were not legitimate, and only serve their personal interests. Mondher Ben Aliya, an employee of the Minister of Interior, participated in the protest because he is against the union of the security forces, which he does not consider legitimate. “These people do not want to work. We need the police now; there was even an exchange of gunfire between the police and armed men in Sfax – the people need security! I am against this strike, we need an elected union,” he added.
Taieb Bedhiaf, a police officer who was also present at the protest, was against the union’s strike because the union does not represent all police officers. “This union was not elected, it does not represent us nor our demands. They simply do not want to work and their demands are not legitimate,” he added.
Mohamed Besrour, a Tunisian citizen, joined the protest and called for the strike’s suspension. “They have the right to demand whatever they want, but they cannot stop working. They can protest after work or wear a red badge. Now, they must be working instead.”
Members of the Security Forces Protest
In response, members of the union decided to suspend their strike, and a committee was set to deliberate on the demands of the union members. Abdel Khalek Boueka, head of the committee, said, “We are going to discuss their demands today at the union headquarter, and a solution will be found soon,” he stated.
Roughly 200 members of the National Union for Security Forces gathered in front of the Ministry of Interior at 10:00am today. Upon reaching Al Kasbah, the number of protesters had grown substantially. They chanted slogans such as, “No marginalization of our cause, our demands are legitimate.” They also called for the independence of the union.
Adel Jebali, a member of the union, came from Mahdia to participate in the protest. “Our demands are purely professional,” he stated.
“People perceive us to be criminals – we were harassed and verbally abused on numerous occasions. Police officers have been threatened by criminals at police stations to try to secure the release their fellow thieves,” he added.
Written in Collaboration with Farah Samti
