UNIONS
Thousands of flights and trains will be canceled again this week in Germany with new strikes
Mon, March 4, 2024
BERLIN (AP) — Thousands of flights and trains are expected to be canceled again this week in Germany after two unions on Monday called for more strikes over wages and working conditions.
Negotiations continue for ground staff of German airline Lufthansa and German rail operator's Deutsche Bahn train drivers. German train drivers’ union GDL and Ver.di called for the strikes Thursday and Friday.
Around 200,000 air passengers will be affected by the two-day strike, according to an initial estimate by the Lufthansa Group, meaning that around 1,000 flights per day will be canceled as during previous strikes, German news agency dpa reported.
The strike on long-distance and regional train services begins at 2.00 a.m. (0100GMT) on Thursday and will affect millions of travelers. According to GDL, the strike is set to last until 1 p.m. Friday. In freight transport, the strike will begin on Wednesday at 6 p.m. (1700GMT) and is scheduled to last until 5 a.m. Friday.
In addition to pay raises, GDL has been calling for working hours to be reduced from 38 to 35 per week without a pay cut, which Deutsche Bahn has refused.
The Ver.di union seeks a 12.5% pay raise, or at least 500 euros ($542) more per month, in negotiations for nearly 25,000 Lufthansa ground workers including check-in, aircraft handling, maintenance and freight staff.
Coinciding contract negotiations have resulted in several recent walkouts in the rail, air and local transport sectors in Germany.
The Associated Press
Mon, March 4, 2024
BERLIN (AP) — Thousands of flights and trains are expected to be canceled again this week in Germany after two unions on Monday called for more strikes over wages and working conditions.
Negotiations continue for ground staff of German airline Lufthansa and German rail operator's Deutsche Bahn train drivers. German train drivers’ union GDL and Ver.di called for the strikes Thursday and Friday.
Around 200,000 air passengers will be affected by the two-day strike, according to an initial estimate by the Lufthansa Group, meaning that around 1,000 flights per day will be canceled as during previous strikes, German news agency dpa reported.
The strike on long-distance and regional train services begins at 2.00 a.m. (0100GMT) on Thursday and will affect millions of travelers. According to GDL, the strike is set to last until 1 p.m. Friday. In freight transport, the strike will begin on Wednesday at 6 p.m. (1700GMT) and is scheduled to last until 5 a.m. Friday.
In addition to pay raises, GDL has been calling for working hours to be reduced from 38 to 35 per week without a pay cut, which Deutsche Bahn has refused.
The Ver.di union seeks a 12.5% pay raise, or at least 500 euros ($542) more per month, in negotiations for nearly 25,000 Lufthansa ground workers including check-in, aircraft handling, maintenance and freight staff.
Coinciding contract negotiations have resulted in several recent walkouts in the rail, air and local transport sectors in Germany.
The Associated Press
South Korean doctors hold a mass rally against medical policy
By Hyun Young Yi and Hyonhee Shin
Police put the number of demonstrators at about 12,000.
The rally comes a day after a government deadline for the trainee doctors to return to work expired. Nearly 9,000 resident and intern doctors at major hospitals, or about 70% of the country's total, walked off the job late February, leading to the cancellation of some surgeries and treatments and straining emergency departments.
Joo Soo-ho, an official at the KMA, said the government should reform the existing medical system.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Sunday urged the KMA to cease the protest and encourage trainee doctors to return to their patients.
Interior minister Lee Sang-min also said the young doctors would not be punished if they returned to work by Sunday, but if they fail to do so, they could face administrative and
The government has publicly issued a back-to-work order for 13 doctors, including vocal critics of the plan, and raided some KMA officials on Friday.
Cho Ji-ho, commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said the police has banned several KMA members from leaving the country as part of an investigation into illicit activities linked to the protest.
March 3, 2024
Doctors chant slogans during a rally to protest against government plans to increase medical school admissions in Seoul, South Korea. The banners read "Oppose increasing medical school admissions without talks with the medical community" (in blue) and "Medical education will be harmed in red.
SEOUL, March 3 (Reuters) - Thousands of South Korean doctors held a mass rally on Sunday against government plans to increase medical school admissions, defying official calls for trainee physicians who had also walked off the job in protest to return to work.
Up to 40,000 doctors joined the rally, demanding the government scrap the plan, according to the Korean Medical Association (KMA), which represents private practitioners and had organised the protest.
Doctors chant slogans during a rally to protest against government plans to increase medical school admissions in Seoul, South Korea. The banners read "Oppose increasing medical school admissions without talks with the medical community" (in blue) and "Medical education will be harmed in red.
SEOUL, March 3 (Reuters) - Thousands of South Korean doctors held a mass rally on Sunday against government plans to increase medical school admissions, defying official calls for trainee physicians who had also walked off the job in protest to return to work.
Up to 40,000 doctors joined the rally, demanding the government scrap the plan, according to the Korean Medical Association (KMA), which represents private practitioners and had organised the protest.
Police put the number of demonstrators at about 12,000.
The rally comes a day after a government deadline for the trainee doctors to return to work expired. Nearly 9,000 resident and intern doctors at major hospitals, or about 70% of the country's total, walked off the job late February, leading to the cancellation of some surgeries and treatments and straining emergency departments.
Joo Soo-ho, an official at the KMA, said the government should reform the existing medical system.
"It was the government that set the deadline, and regardless of the deadline and pressure, we will continue to push forward as we think," Joo said.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Sunday urged the KMA to cease the protest and encourage trainee doctors to return to their patients.
Interior minister Lee Sang-min also said the young doctors would not be punished if they returned to work by Sunday, but if they fail to do so, they could face administrative and
The government has publicly issued a back-to-work order for 13 doctors, including vocal critics of the plan, and raided some KMA officials on Friday.
Cho Ji-ho, commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said the police has banned several KMA members from leaving the country as part of an investigation into illicit activities linked to the protest.
South Korea takes steps to suspend licenses of striking doctors after they refuse to end walkouts
BY HYUNG-JIN KIM
March 3, 2024
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s government began steps Monday to suspend the medical licenses of thousands of striking junior doctors, days after they missed a government-set deadline to end their joint walkouts, which have severely impacted hospital operations.
Nearly 9,000 medical interns and residents have been on strike for two weeks to protest a government push to sharply increase the number of medical school admissions. Their action has led to hundreds of canceled surgeries and other treatments and threatened to burden the country’s medical service.
On Monday, officials were sent to dozens of hospitals to formally confirm the absence of the striking doctors as the government began steps to suspend their licenses for at least three months, Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo told a briefing.
Park said authorities will later notify the striking doctors of their expected license suspensions and give them a chance to respond. He suggested the license suspensions would take weeks to go into effect.
What’s next for South Korean doctors who face license suspensions because of walkouts
“Despite repeated appeals by the government and other parts of society, the number of trainee doctors returning to work is very insignificant. Starting from today, we begin the execution of law with the on-site inspection,” Park said.
Park again repeated the government’s call for the doctors to end their walkouts.
“We again strongly urge them to return to patients by not ignoring the pains of patients hovering between life and death — and their families,” he said.
South Korea’s government earlier ordered the striking doctors to return to work by Feb. 29. South Korea’s medical law allows the government to make such back-to-work orders to doctors when it sees grave risks to public health. Anyone who refuses to follow such orders can be punished with a suspension of his or her license for up to one year, and three years in prison or a 30 million won (roughly $22,500) fine.
Last month, the South Korean government announced it would raise the country’s medical school enrollment cap by 2,000 starting next year, from the current 3,058. Officials said it’s urgent to have more doctors to deal with a fast-aging population and resolve a shortage of physicians in rural areas and essential yet low-paying specialties like pediatrics and emergency departments.
Officials say South Korea’s doctor-to-population ratio is one of the lowest among developed countries.
But many doctors have opposed the plan, arguing universities can’t offer quality education to such an abrupt increase in students. They also say adding so many new doctors would also increase public medical expenses since greater competition would lead to excess treatments. They also predict newly added students would also want to work in high-paying, popular professions like plastic surgery and dermatology.
Critics say many doctors oppose the government plan simply because they worry adding more doctors would result in a lower income.
The striking junior doctors are a small fraction of the country’s 140,000 doctors. But they account for 30-40% of the total doctors at some major hospitals, where they assist senior doctors while training.
Senior doctors have staged a slew of street rallies supporting the young doctors but haven’t joined their walkouts. Police said they were investigating five ranking members of the Korea Medical Association, a body that represents South Korean doctors, for allegedly inciting and abetting the walkouts.
BY HYUNG-JIN KIM
March 3, 2024
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s government began steps Monday to suspend the medical licenses of thousands of striking junior doctors, days after they missed a government-set deadline to end their joint walkouts, which have severely impacted hospital operations.
Nearly 9,000 medical interns and residents have been on strike for two weeks to protest a government push to sharply increase the number of medical school admissions. Their action has led to hundreds of canceled surgeries and other treatments and threatened to burden the country’s medical service.
On Monday, officials were sent to dozens of hospitals to formally confirm the absence of the striking doctors as the government began steps to suspend their licenses for at least three months, Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo told a briefing.
Park said authorities will later notify the striking doctors of their expected license suspensions and give them a chance to respond. He suggested the license suspensions would take weeks to go into effect.
What’s next for South Korean doctors who face license suspensions because of walkouts
“Despite repeated appeals by the government and other parts of society, the number of trainee doctors returning to work is very insignificant. Starting from today, we begin the execution of law with the on-site inspection,” Park said.
Park again repeated the government’s call for the doctors to end their walkouts.
“We again strongly urge them to return to patients by not ignoring the pains of patients hovering between life and death — and their families,” he said.
South Korea’s government earlier ordered the striking doctors to return to work by Feb. 29. South Korea’s medical law allows the government to make such back-to-work orders to doctors when it sees grave risks to public health. Anyone who refuses to follow such orders can be punished with a suspension of his or her license for up to one year, and three years in prison or a 30 million won (roughly $22,500) fine.
Last month, the South Korean government announced it would raise the country’s medical school enrollment cap by 2,000 starting next year, from the current 3,058. Officials said it’s urgent to have more doctors to deal with a fast-aging population and resolve a shortage of physicians in rural areas and essential yet low-paying specialties like pediatrics and emergency departments.
Officials say South Korea’s doctor-to-population ratio is one of the lowest among developed countries.
But many doctors have opposed the plan, arguing universities can’t offer quality education to such an abrupt increase in students. They also say adding so many new doctors would also increase public medical expenses since greater competition would lead to excess treatments. They also predict newly added students would also want to work in high-paying, popular professions like plastic surgery and dermatology.
Critics say many doctors oppose the government plan simply because they worry adding more doctors would result in a lower income.
The striking junior doctors are a small fraction of the country’s 140,000 doctors. But they account for 30-40% of the total doctors at some major hospitals, where they assist senior doctors while training.
Senior doctors have staged a slew of street rallies supporting the young doctors but haven’t joined their walkouts. Police said they were investigating five ranking members of the Korea Medical Association, a body that represents South Korean doctors, for allegedly inciting and abetting the walkouts.
The workers’ union has instructed all members to prepare “for a possible strike.”
BY CHANNING REID
SUMMARY
American Airlines flight attendants will protest in New York City on Monday.
The union-led protest coincides with American's Investor Day.
Negotiations continue as the workers push for pay raises and retro pay.
Flight attendants at Fort Worth, Texas-based American Airlines are headed to New York City to protest on Monday. It is the inflight worker’s latest effort to make their voices heard as they continue to fight for a new collective bargaining agreement.
Several reports in the last couple of years have highlighted the financial struggles that some flight attendants have encountered with their low wages. Last month, the crew members picketed at all of the airline’s bases across the country.
Taking action
As first reported by View From The Wing, the flight attendants will be meeting on Wall Street to stage a protest at 12:00 on Monday – the same day as American’s Investor Day, where the carrier’s CEO Robert Isom and senior leadership will present and meet with the company’s main investors.
Photo: Association of Professional Flight Attendants
The union representing American's flight attendants, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), notified the workers of the planned protest in an internal memo obtained by View From The Wing. It instructs the crew members to wear their uniforms and meet on time near the Joe and Juice on Broad Street. Those running late are advised to “meet out front of the New York Stock Exchange” at 12:30 to join the protest.
It appears that the APFA wanted to keep its plan under wraps as the memo also instructs the workers to “invite flight attendants privately” and to “not post on social media.” During the protest, the flight attendants could chant the three phases in the memo or have them written on signs:
“AA: No Retro Pay / No Way!”
“AA Makes Billions - We Can’t Make Rent!”
“AA: Close Out This Contract NOW!”
Simple Flying has not independently verified the chant(s) details or signage phrasings.
Status of negotiations
Last September, American proposed a new contract to its 26,000 flight attendants, claiming it was industry-leading. However, the inflight workers said it fell short. The proposal included some positive changes for the flight attendants, such as allowing the workers to be paid during boarding periods, but did not address other demands, including pay raises by more than 30%.
APFA asked the National Meditation Board to allow the flight attendants to go on strike in November, but the board denied their request, forcing them to continue negotiations with the airline.
A status conference, requested by the union, will be held next week.
“The National Mediation Board has set a status conference, at the request of APFA, to directly hear from APFA on why we believe that we should be released into a thirty-day cooling-off period. The three members of the National Mediation Board will hear from APFA on the morning of March 13, 2024. The company will present to the NMB Board later that afternoon. At this meeting, APFA will update the Board on the status of our negotiations and will have an opportunity to present our position that our negotiations are at an impasse and we should be released.”
“Preparing for a possible strike”
Jule Hedrick, APFA’s National President, said the flight attendants have been working with wages negotiated in 2014; however, View From The Wing reports the inflight workers received a raise in 2019. Still, that was before the pandemic, when the economy was in a different environment.
Photo: American Airlines
As junior crew members have the lowest pay, first and second-year flight attendants based in Boston are reportedly eligible for food stamps. Others have allegedly reported that they cannot afford gas and live off snacks offered to first class passengers.
Among higher wages, the workers are fighting for retro pay to compensate for unpaid work for the last several years. Despite not being released from negotiations, APFA mailed a strike booklet to its members last month and reminded them that possible industrial action could still happen.
“All APFA Flight Attendants should be preparing for a possible strike at American Airlines,” the union said.
Germany: Union calls another Lufthansa ground staff strike4 hours ago4 hours ago
Trade union Verdi has called for airport ground staff to strike on Thursday and Friday of this week. It's the latest in a series of such actions affecting planes and trains.
https://p.dw.com/p/4d88V
Ground staff were also on strike on February 28 amid the long-running disputeI
What Verdi y's second-largest by overall membership, is negotiating on behalf of roughly 25,000 employees in the dispute.
It's seeking pay rises of 12% for workers it represents, or a minimum of €500 ($542) per month, whichever is higher. Lufthansa has offered pay increases over an extended period but Verdi says they do not meet its demands.
"It is inexplicable to anyone that this company is about to announce a record annual performance this week, is going to increase bonuses for its board considerably, and that staff on the ground with an hourly wage of sometimes €13 don't even know how they're meant to make ends meet in some of Germany's most expensive cities," Verdi quoted negotiator Marvin Reschinsky as saying.
A fresh round of talks, the fifth in the dispute, are set for March 13 and 14. Verdi has said it will not return to the negotiating table earlier unless Lufthansa presents an improved offer in advance, a position Lufthansa criticized. Lufthansa had offered
Trains and public transport services have also been disrupted by several strikes in recent weeks in Germany with negotiations faltering and no breakthrough in sight.
The disruptions to the movement of people and goods as a result was even mentioned by Germany's Bundesbank central bank last month as a cause for economic concern as it announced that the country could enter a technical recession by the end of the first quarter.
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msh/ab (AFP, dpa, Reuters)
Trade union Verdi has called for airport ground staff to strike on Thursday and Friday of this week. It's the latest in a series of such actions affecting planes and trains.
https://p.dw.com/p/4d88V
mage: Carsten Koall/dpa/picture alliance
A major German trade union on Monday called on Lufthansa ground staff to strike again on Thursday and Friday, March 7 and 8, as it seeks to increase pressure ahead of another round of negotiations the following week.
It said that staff should stop work from at 4 a.m. on Thursday morning (0300 GMT/UTC) until 7:10 a.m. on Saturday.
Delays and cancellations are probable, with previous similar strikes disrupting flights and prompting criticism from Lufthansa.
"In the past few days we consciously left passenger travel out of our strikes," Verdi negotiator Marvin Reschinsky said. "Lufthansa is telling us by ignoring our demands for negotiations that it will only move once the pressure is increased further."
A major German trade union on Monday called on Lufthansa ground staff to strike again on Thursday and Friday, March 7 and 8, as it seeks to increase pressure ahead of another round of negotiations the following week.
It said that staff should stop work from at 4 a.m. on Thursday morning (0300 GMT/UTC) until 7:10 a.m. on Saturday.
Delays and cancellations are probable, with previous similar strikes disrupting flights and prompting criticism from Lufthansa.
"In the past few days we consciously left passenger travel out of our strikes," Verdi negotiator Marvin Reschinsky said. "Lufthansa is telling us by ignoring our demands for negotiations that it will only move once the pressure is increased further."
Thursday and Friday's strike will be tailored to impact passenger flightsImage: Carsten Koall/dpa/picture alliance
What Verdi y's second-largest by overall membership, is negotiating on behalf of roughly 25,000 employees in the dispute.
It's seeking pay rises of 12% for workers it represents, or a minimum of €500 ($542) per month, whichever is higher. Lufthansa has offered pay increases over an extended period but Verdi says they do not meet its demands.
"It is inexplicable to anyone that this company is about to announce a record annual performance this week, is going to increase bonuses for its board considerably, and that staff on the ground with an hourly wage of sometimes €13 don't even know how they're meant to make ends meet in some of Germany's most expensive cities," Verdi quoted negotiator Marvin Reschinsky as saying.
A fresh round of talks, the fifth in the dispute, are set for March 13 and 14. Verdi has said it will not return to the negotiating table earlier unless Lufthansa presents an improved offer in advance, a position Lufthansa criticized. Lufthansa had offered
Trains and public transport services have also been disrupted by several strikes in recent weeks in Germany with negotiations faltering and no breakthrough in sight.
The disruptions to the movement of people and goods as a result was even mentioned by Germany's Bundesbank central bank last month as a cause for economic concern as it announced that the country could enter a technical recession by the end of the first quarter.
The DW News WhatsApp channel is live! Join us now for unbiased news that matters.
msh/ab (AFP, dpa, Reuters)
Lufthansa says its latest two-day strike by ground crews will disrupt travel for more than 200,000 passengers
Bloomberg |
Mar 04, 2024
Ground crew are among workers in Germany’s transport industry that have walked out over salary levels as staff shortages and high inflation bite.
Deutsche Lufthansa AG expects the latest two-day strike by ground crews to disrupt travel for more than 200,000 passengers, putting pressure on the German airline to negotiate a deal.
Bloomberg |
Mar 04, 2024
Ground crew are among workers in Germany’s transport industry that have walked out over salary levels as staff shortages and high inflation bite.
Deutsche Lufthansa AG expects the latest two-day strike by ground crews to disrupt travel for more than 200,000 passengers, putting pressure on the German airline to negotiate a deal.
\
Lufthansa ground staff attend a strike in Frankfurt, Germany.
(REUTERS)
Labor union Verdi has called Lufthansa ground staff walk off work on Thursday and Friday after failed negotiations over pay and working conditions. Lufthansa responded it’s willing to negotiate at short notice, provided that Verdi calls off the strike.
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Ground crew are among workers in Germany’s transport industry that have walked out over salary levels as staff shortages and high inflation bite. Thousands of passengers and major German airports were hit three times last month after security staff and ground crews across the country went on strike. The latest disruption will likely get exacerbated by a strike called by workers at Deutsche Bahn AG, the German railway also negotiating improved working hours.
“With this uncompromising stance, the union is harming the company, many hundreds of thousands of customers and the employees of our companies,” Michael Niggemann, Lufthansa’s chief human resources officer, said in the statement.
Verdi said on Monday that no agreement was reached during the fourth round of negotiations. The union has demanded a 12.5% salary increase and an extra €3,000 ($3,254.9) inflation bonus for ground staff. The next meeting is scheduled for March 13 and 14.
Lufthansa said Verdi was “deliberately seeking escalation rather than a solution” to the dispute, and it will implement a special flight plan during the 59-hour warning strike.
Lufthansa reports earnings on Thursday.
Labor union Verdi has called Lufthansa ground staff walk off work on Thursday and Friday after failed negotiations over pay and working conditions. Lufthansa responded it’s willing to negotiate at short notice, provided that Verdi calls off the strike.
Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.
Ground crew are among workers in Germany’s transport industry that have walked out over salary levels as staff shortages and high inflation bite. Thousands of passengers and major German airports were hit three times last month after security staff and ground crews across the country went on strike. The latest disruption will likely get exacerbated by a strike called by workers at Deutsche Bahn AG, the German railway also negotiating improved working hours.
“With this uncompromising stance, the union is harming the company, many hundreds of thousands of customers and the employees of our companies,” Michael Niggemann, Lufthansa’s chief human resources officer, said in the statement.
Verdi said on Monday that no agreement was reached during the fourth round of negotiations. The union has demanded a 12.5% salary increase and an extra €3,000 ($3,254.9) inflation bonus for ground staff. The next meeting is scheduled for March 13 and 14.
Lufthansa said Verdi was “deliberately seeking escalation rather than a solution” to the dispute, and it will implement a special flight plan during the 59-hour warning strike.
Lufthansa reports earnings on Thursday.
According to the UGTT, Mezzi was detained by government authorities in connection with an allegedly fabricated case regarding his extensive involvement in union activities. The incident occurred just a few days before the UGTT’s planned protest on March 2, aimed at denouncing what the UGTT described as “the violation of trade union rights and the disruption of social dialogue.”
In a statement released Thursday, the UGTT condemned Mezzi’s imprisonment and called for his immediate release and for the charges against him to be dropped. It also called for the preservation of the allegedly fabricated file aimed at undermining the union’s rights. According to the UGTT, Mezzi’s arrest is a purely political decision and part of a series of unfair trials of trade unionists. The UGTT claimed that the arrest, which took place just days before the workers’ protest rally in Kasbah Square, was intended to sow confusion and fear, in line with ongoing policy against striking trade union movements.
The UGTT urged trade unionists to nevertheless actively engage in the protest scheduled for Saturday, March 2, in Kasbah Square, and warned members to prepare for further action. Union activists hope to halt what they see as severe violations of the right to trade unions, as well as public and individual freedoms. This protest marked the union’s first in months and saw a large attendance.
The UGTT, which has around 1 million members, played a key role responding to the arrests of activists, businessmen and journalists when Tunisia’s President Kais Saied consolidated power in 2021 by closing parliament, a move the opposition called a coup. However, the influence of the union, widely recognized as the country’s most important force, has diminished significantly since last year with the arrest of some officials. Some political parties and activists have accused the UGTT of inertia, saying it has withdrawn from its influential role and chosen silence over confronting Saied’s authoritarian approach.
Tunisian judge releases union leader after one-day detention
Reuters
March 1, 2024
A person holds up a baguette as supporters of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) protest against President Kais Saied, accusing him of trying to stifle basic freedoms, including union rights, in Tunis, Tunisia March 4, 2023.
A person holds up a baguette as supporters of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) protest against President Kais Saied, accusing him of trying to stifle basic freedoms, including union rights, in Tunis, Tunisia March 4, 2023.
REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi/File \
TUNIS, March 1 (Reuters) - A judge on Friday released a top official in Tunisia's biggest labour union, one day after he was detained, the union said.
The Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) denounced the detention of Tahar Mezzi on Thursday, saying it was a politically motivated attempt to undermine union rights.
Mezzi is the deputy secretary-general and the head of private sector in the union. He was detained two days before a huge protest called by the UGTT against what it said was a "violation of union rights and the disruption of social dialogue".
A judicial official said the judge also ordered a travel ban on Mezzi.
The UGTT did not say on what grounds Mezzi was detained. Tunisian authorities were not immediately available for comment.
Since last year, police have arrested at least four senior union officials.
The UGTT, which has about 1 million members, had been a critical voice after the arrest of activists, businessmen and journalists since President Kais Saied seized most powers in 2021 when he closed parliament - a move that the opposition described as a coup.
But the voice of the union, which was widely seen as the biggest force in the country, has been significantly diminished since last year after the arrest of some officials.
Some political parties and activists have accuse UGTT of inaction, retreating from its role, and choosing silence instead of confronting Saied's authoritarian approach. Saturday's protest will be the first in months
Thousands protest Tunisia's falling living standards
Thousands protested deteriorating living standards outside the prime minister's office in Tunis on Saturday following a call from Tunisia's main trade union confederation.
Issued on: 02/03/2024 -
Trade unionists raise national flags and placards as they take to the streets of Tunis, Tunisia to protest against a proposed legislation that will grant the government sweeping powers over NGOs, March 2, 2024.
© Fethi Belaid, AFP
By:NEWS WIRES
"The economic and social situation continues to worsen," the confederation's head, Noureddine Taboubi, said in a speech to protesters.
Taboubi said the state's ability to service its foreign debt in 2023 had been "to the detriment of the people and resulted in shortages of basic products".
He criticised the implementation of "diktats from the International Monetary Fund" (IMF) at the expense of ordinary Tunisians.
The Tunisian economy is at a standstill with growth of 0.4 percent and an unemployment rate of 16.4 percent in 2023, according to the National Institute of Statistics.
Unemployment stood at 15.2 percent at the end of 2022.
President Kais Saied has ruled by decree since a July 2021 power grab and last year rammed through a constitution that gave his office unlimited powers and neutered parliament.
Weathering a grave economic crisis, Tunis concluded an agreement with the IMF in October 2022 for a two billion dollar loan facility.
But loan tranches stalled when the president rejected reforms demanded by the IMF.
(AFP)
By:NEWS WIRES
"The economic and social situation continues to worsen," the confederation's head, Noureddine Taboubi, said in a speech to protesters.
Taboubi said the state's ability to service its foreign debt in 2023 had been "to the detriment of the people and resulted in shortages of basic products".
He criticised the implementation of "diktats from the International Monetary Fund" (IMF) at the expense of ordinary Tunisians.
The Tunisian economy is at a standstill with growth of 0.4 percent and an unemployment rate of 16.4 percent in 2023, according to the National Institute of Statistics.
Unemployment stood at 15.2 percent at the end of 2022.
President Kais Saied has ruled by decree since a July 2021 power grab and last year rammed through a constitution that gave his office unlimited powers and neutered parliament.
Weathering a grave economic crisis, Tunis concluded an agreement with the IMF in October 2022 for a two billion dollar loan facility.
But loan tranches stalled when the president rejected reforms demanded by the IMF.
(AFP)
Tunisian civil society fears plan to limit foreign funding
Youcef Bounab and Francoise Kadri
Mar 3, 2024
Trade unionists shout slogans as they take to the streets of Tunis to protest against proposed legislation that will grant the government sweeping powers over NGOs
FETHI BELAID
The head of the Tunisian General Labour Union UGTT, Noureddine Taboubi, speaks during the protest
FETHI BELAID
Critics worry that the law would collapse Tunisia's vibrant civil society and exacerbate already dire unemployment rates
FETHI BELAID
Tunisian civil society groups fear the government is planning to starve them of foreign funding under the pretext of fighting money laundering and terrorism.
President Kais Saied, who launched a sweeping power grab in 2021 and rules by decree, has accused many non-government organisations of serving "foreign agendas".
Under a draft law he supported, state authorities would have to approve all foreign funding for NGOs that operate in the North African country.
Human rights groups worry it is another repressive measure in the country that became known as the birthplace of the Arab Spring protests more than a decade ago.
"The aim of the bill is to restrict civil society -- its financing, its activity and to limit its work to certain topics suggested by the political authority," said Bassem Trifi, president of the Tunisian League for the Defence of Human Rights.
If the draft law is enacted, Trifi warned, "Tunisia will lose its civil society and all the work it has done".
Amnesty International warned that the "absolute discretion given to the government to authorise or deny funding requests of civil society groups may constitute a disproportionate restriction of the right to freedom of association".
The Tunisian groups also worry that tens of thousands of jobs will be lost if funding from abroad dries up, given that most organisations receive little to no public money in the recession-hit and highly indebted country.
Saied, elected democratically in October 2019, sacked parliament in July 2021 and assumed most executive powers.
A number of Saied's opponents are behind bars as Tunisia prepares for presidential elections set to take place in October.
- 'Preserve the freedoms' -
The draft law would replace a 2011 decree that saw the creation of over 25,000 organisations after the uprising that ousted dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and set in motion what later came to be known as the Arab Spring.
"According to a study we did, by limiting civil society's financial resources, we risk losing around 30,000 direct jobs" and about 100,000 indirect jobs, Trifi said.
Critics worry that this would exacerbate unemployment rates, which already stand at 16 percent overall and 40 percent among the youth.
Shanti, an association that employs 22 full-time workers and manages over 100 projects involving crafts, farming and eco-tourism nationwide, may be among those affected.
The group receives over 90 percent of its funding from abroad.
Their projects like L'Artisanerie, a workshop in Tunis that supports about 60 craftspeople selling items including handmade carpets, pottery and furniture, could also be impacted.
"We're on alert about what's going to happen," said Shanti's head Mehdi Baccouche.
He said that he is not opposed to new regulation, but that any change should result from "a permanent dialogue" between organisations and authorities.
"It's important to preserve the freedoms acquired by associations and to continue to develop access to national and foreign funds," Baccouche said.
"The development of the associative sector brings thousands of jobs and, beyond that, thousands of people are directly impacted."
- 'Achievement of the revolution' -
Clement Nyaletsossi Voule, the UN special rapporteur on freedom of assembly and association, said the proposed legislation also "gives excessive powers to the authority which can, according to its agenda, refuse an association".
"The 2011 decree is an achievement of the revolution that must be preserved," Voule told AFP.
The current law allows the creation of an organisation simply by notifying the government, without requiring approval.
This has allowed for the flourishing of NGOs working on political and social issues, such as women's and LGBTQ rights.
Their championing of freedoms, including of the press, saw the emergence of independent media outlets.
This "does not mean that the authorities turn a blind eye", Voule added, arguing that the government can still examine "the organisation's agenda and whether there is an imminent security risk".
Before making any sweeping changes to the system, the UN rapporteur argued, "authorities must open discussions with civil society".
boufka/ezz/ysm/srk/fz/lb
Youcef Bounab and Francoise Kadri
Mar 3, 2024
Trade unionists shout slogans as they take to the streets of Tunis to protest against proposed legislation that will grant the government sweeping powers over NGOs
FETHI BELAID
The head of the Tunisian General Labour Union UGTT, Noureddine Taboubi, speaks during the protest
FETHI BELAID
Critics worry that the law would collapse Tunisia's vibrant civil society and exacerbate already dire unemployment rates
FETHI BELAID
Tunisian civil society groups fear the government is planning to starve them of foreign funding under the pretext of fighting money laundering and terrorism.
President Kais Saied, who launched a sweeping power grab in 2021 and rules by decree, has accused many non-government organisations of serving "foreign agendas".
Under a draft law he supported, state authorities would have to approve all foreign funding for NGOs that operate in the North African country.
Human rights groups worry it is another repressive measure in the country that became known as the birthplace of the Arab Spring protests more than a decade ago.
"The aim of the bill is to restrict civil society -- its financing, its activity and to limit its work to certain topics suggested by the political authority," said Bassem Trifi, president of the Tunisian League for the Defence of Human Rights.
If the draft law is enacted, Trifi warned, "Tunisia will lose its civil society and all the work it has done".
Amnesty International warned that the "absolute discretion given to the government to authorise or deny funding requests of civil society groups may constitute a disproportionate restriction of the right to freedom of association".
The Tunisian groups also worry that tens of thousands of jobs will be lost if funding from abroad dries up, given that most organisations receive little to no public money in the recession-hit and highly indebted country.
Saied, elected democratically in October 2019, sacked parliament in July 2021 and assumed most executive powers.
A number of Saied's opponents are behind bars as Tunisia prepares for presidential elections set to take place in October.
- 'Preserve the freedoms' -
The draft law would replace a 2011 decree that saw the creation of over 25,000 organisations after the uprising that ousted dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and set in motion what later came to be known as the Arab Spring.
"According to a study we did, by limiting civil society's financial resources, we risk losing around 30,000 direct jobs" and about 100,000 indirect jobs, Trifi said.
Critics worry that this would exacerbate unemployment rates, which already stand at 16 percent overall and 40 percent among the youth.
Shanti, an association that employs 22 full-time workers and manages over 100 projects involving crafts, farming and eco-tourism nationwide, may be among those affected.
The group receives over 90 percent of its funding from abroad.
Their projects like L'Artisanerie, a workshop in Tunis that supports about 60 craftspeople selling items including handmade carpets, pottery and furniture, could also be impacted.
"We're on alert about what's going to happen," said Shanti's head Mehdi Baccouche.
He said that he is not opposed to new regulation, but that any change should result from "a permanent dialogue" between organisations and authorities.
"It's important to preserve the freedoms acquired by associations and to continue to develop access to national and foreign funds," Baccouche said.
"The development of the associative sector brings thousands of jobs and, beyond that, thousands of people are directly impacted."
- 'Achievement of the revolution' -
Clement Nyaletsossi Voule, the UN special rapporteur on freedom of assembly and association, said the proposed legislation also "gives excessive powers to the authority which can, according to its agenda, refuse an association".
"The 2011 decree is an achievement of the revolution that must be preserved," Voule told AFP.
The current law allows the creation of an organisation simply by notifying the government, without requiring approval.
This has allowed for the flourishing of NGOs working on political and social issues, such as women's and LGBTQ rights.
Their championing of freedoms, including of the press, saw the emergence of independent media outlets.
This "does not mean that the authorities turn a blind eye", Voule added, arguing that the government can still examine "the organisation's agenda and whether there is an imminent security risk".
Before making any sweeping changes to the system, the UN rapporteur argued, "authorities must open discussions with civil society".
boufka/ezz/ysm/srk/fz/lb
Let the unionisation begin!': Employees Get Cookies As Sephora Celebrates $10 Billion Revenue
Employees express dissatisfaction over what they perceive as inadequate recognition of their contributions.
Employees express dissatisfaction over what they perceive as inadequate recognition of their contributions.
By Jastine Beatrice Yap jastinebeatriceyap
03/03/24
The discontent among Sephora's workers sheds light on the broader issue of employee recognition and fair compensation.
The discontent among Sephora's workers sheds light on the broader issue of employee recognition and fair compensation.
WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Sephora, the global beauty retailer, recently celebrated a remarkable financial milestone, surpassing £10 billion in revenue.
However, amidst the festivities, a wave of discontent is sweeping through the workforce as employees express dissatisfaction over what they perceive as inadequate recognition for their contributions.
As news of the financial milestone circulated within Sephora's ranks, workers expressed their discontent, highlighting a disparity between the company's financial success and the recognition received by its frontline staff.
The focal point of their dissatisfaction? A seemingly token gesture in the form of a 'stale cookie.'
Reports from various Sephora outlets reveal that, in celebration of the revenue milestone, employees were merely offered a symbolic 'thank you' – a stale cookie.
The gesture, intended to acknowledge the collective effort of the workforce, has sparked frustration and disappointment among many employees who expected more tangible rewards for their role in the company's success.
According to one former employee, whose departure coincided with the cookie delivery, "They are consistently coaching us to meet our goals and expectations, and, of course, everyone goes above and beyond for the company, and all they give us is a stale cookie and a letter thanking us."
The discontent among Sephora's workers sheds light on the broader issue of employee recognition and fair compensation, especially in industries where frontline staff plays a pivotal role in delivering exceptional customer experiences.
The disparity between the monumental financial achievement and the perceived triviality of the reward has fueled discussions around the company's commitment to its workforce.
Sephora's success in the beauty retail sector is undeniable, with its revenue growth attributed to strategic marketing, a diverse product range, and an immersive in-store experience.
However, the current discontent poses challenges to the company's reputation as a fair and employee-centric employer.
In a statement, Sephora said it "had a great year thanks to our extraordinary team members who help create and build our incredible beauty community.
"We are proud of all our employees across our stores, distribution centres, and corporate offices who contributed to this shared success in North America.
"As the leading prestige beauty retailer, it's success like this that allows us to continue to offer highly competitive benefits and pay, performance bonuses, education, brand perks, training product, gratis, and substantial product discounts to our employees."
Employee testimonials reveal a sense of undervaluation, with some expressing the view that a 'stale cookie' falls short of recognising their daily efforts to uphold the brand's standards and contribute to the positive customer experience that underpins Sephora's success.
The issue has gained traction on social media, with employees and their supporters sharing their views on Reddit.
Referred to by Reddit users as the "notorious cookie," opinions on the pre-packaged treats varied.
Some playfully reviewed the taste of the goods, with one user rating it a 4 out of 10. Conversely, others expressed a sense of devaluation, describing the experience as feeling like "dirt on the bottom of their shoes."
The cookie even spurred a call to action from one user: "Let the unionisation begin!" they declared.
A departing employee, who received the cookie on her last day, noted that attaching a confidentiality notice to gifts from Sephora was "totally normal." While the gift left her disappointed, it did not come as a surprise.
"They really don't reward us for the work and mental energy it takes to be a Sephora employee," she lamented. "There's just so much more they could do, and they chose to send stale cookies."
IBT UK Morning Brief - Let the best of International News come to you
Sign up and stay up to date with our daily newsletter.
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In the beauty industry, where brand image and customer perception are paramount, employee satisfaction plays a crucial role in shaping the overall experience for shoppers.
Dissatisfied employees can impact the quality of customer service, potentially affecting Sephora's customer loyalty and retention rates.
As the news of the 'stale cookie' controversy continues to circulate, industry experts speculate on the potential impact on Sephora's bottom line.
The beauty retailer may need to reevaluate its approach to employee recognition and compensation to foster a positive workplace culture that aligns with its brand values.
Sephora, the global beauty retailer, recently celebrated a remarkable financial milestone, surpassing £10 billion in revenue.
However, amidst the festivities, a wave of discontent is sweeping through the workforce as employees express dissatisfaction over what they perceive as inadequate recognition for their contributions.
As news of the financial milestone circulated within Sephora's ranks, workers expressed their discontent, highlighting a disparity between the company's financial success and the recognition received by its frontline staff.
The focal point of their dissatisfaction? A seemingly token gesture in the form of a 'stale cookie.'
Reports from various Sephora outlets reveal that, in celebration of the revenue milestone, employees were merely offered a symbolic 'thank you' – a stale cookie.
The gesture, intended to acknowledge the collective effort of the workforce, has sparked frustration and disappointment among many employees who expected more tangible rewards for their role in the company's success.
According to one former employee, whose departure coincided with the cookie delivery, "They are consistently coaching us to meet our goals and expectations, and, of course, everyone goes above and beyond for the company, and all they give us is a stale cookie and a letter thanking us."
The discontent among Sephora's workers sheds light on the broader issue of employee recognition and fair compensation, especially in industries where frontline staff plays a pivotal role in delivering exceptional customer experiences.
The disparity between the monumental financial achievement and the perceived triviality of the reward has fueled discussions around the company's commitment to its workforce.
Sephora's success in the beauty retail sector is undeniable, with its revenue growth attributed to strategic marketing, a diverse product range, and an immersive in-store experience.
However, the current discontent poses challenges to the company's reputation as a fair and employee-centric employer.
In a statement, Sephora said it "had a great year thanks to our extraordinary team members who help create and build our incredible beauty community.
"We are proud of all our employees across our stores, distribution centres, and corporate offices who contributed to this shared success in North America.
"As the leading prestige beauty retailer, it's success like this that allows us to continue to offer highly competitive benefits and pay, performance bonuses, education, brand perks, training product, gratis, and substantial product discounts to our employees."
Employee testimonials reveal a sense of undervaluation, with some expressing the view that a 'stale cookie' falls short of recognising their daily efforts to uphold the brand's standards and contribute to the positive customer experience that underpins Sephora's success.
The issue has gained traction on social media, with employees and their supporters sharing their views on Reddit.
Referred to by Reddit users as the "notorious cookie," opinions on the pre-packaged treats varied.
Some playfully reviewed the taste of the goods, with one user rating it a 4 out of 10. Conversely, others expressed a sense of devaluation, describing the experience as feeling like "dirt on the bottom of their shoes."
The cookie even spurred a call to action from one user: "Let the unionisation begin!" they declared.
A departing employee, who received the cookie on her last day, noted that attaching a confidentiality notice to gifts from Sephora was "totally normal." While the gift left her disappointed, it did not come as a surprise.
"They really don't reward us for the work and mental energy it takes to be a Sephora employee," she lamented. "There's just so much more they could do, and they chose to send stale cookies."
IBT UK Morning Brief - Let the best of International News come to you
Sign up and stay up to date with our daily newsletter.
You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
In the beauty industry, where brand image and customer perception are paramount, employee satisfaction plays a crucial role in shaping the overall experience for shoppers.
Dissatisfied employees can impact the quality of customer service, potentially affecting Sephora's customer loyalty and retention rates.
As the news of the 'stale cookie' controversy continues to circulate, industry experts speculate on the potential impact on Sephora's bottom line.
The beauty retailer may need to reevaluate its approach to employee recognition and compensation to foster a positive workplace culture that aligns with its brand values.
