Thousands demand union rights and civic freedoms in large Tunisia protest

Members of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) demonstrate after earlier this month President Kais Saied's supporters staged a rally outside UGTT headquarters, urging Saied to suspend the union following a transport strike, in Tunis, Tunisia August 21, 2025. REUTERS/Jihed Abidellaoui

TUNIS -Thousands of members and supporters of Tunisia's powerful Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) protested in the capital on Thursday over what they called a decline in union rights and civic freedoms.

It was one of the largest political demonstrations Tunisia has seen recently, and comes amid a deepening standoff between the UGTT and President Kais Saied.