Demonstrations, strikes mark anniversary of Tunisian uprising

Long-time Tunisian ruler President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled his country on Jan 14, 2011, for the monarchy of Saudi Arabia, where he has been granted political refuge. The uprising that began in Tunisia 14 months ago was the first in a series of events that have reshaped the debate and struggle in much of Africa and the Middle East.

Although the forced resignation of Ben Ali was a major victory for the masses, it did not resolve the growing deprivation of the workers and youth. Nor did the uprising resolve the inherently exploitative relationship between Tunisia and the imperialist states, which still dictate the terms of its foreign policy toward the West.

Yet the Tunisian people have not given up on the total transformation of their country. In recent weeks a new round of strikes and mass demonstrations has erupted in various regions of the country, including the capital of Tunis.

On Jan. 17, a strike in the northern farming town of Siliana shut down schools and several roads. The people in Siliana were protesting against high unemployment and poor living conditions.

Demonstrations in the northwestern city of Jendouba halted traffic on a major thoroughfare. Protesters said the government had completely ignored the social and political concerns of working people.

Also in the north, university students in the city of Manouba are on a hunger strike, angry over the banning of women students who choose to wear the niqab, a full-face veil. The students demand that the ban be immediately lifted, but university officials have so far refused to back down.

In the central region mountain town of Maktar, a general strike erupted on Jan. 13 over the lack of progress since the ouster of the former president last year. Locals in the area chopped down trees and used them as a barricade to prevent traffic from flowing through the town.

One local vendor, Mounir Louhichi, said: “We’re dying here, there is nothing. We’re worn out by the cold and unemployment. No running water, no city gas despite being near the pipeline running from Algeria to Italy.” (AFP, Jan. 20)

A young English teacher, Ouided Slama, explained: “We are rebelling because it is, quite simply, intolerable.” Residents feel that the new government has totally ignored their plight.

“There is no one,” noted a young man who drew a large question mark on the door of the local branch of the dominant Islamic Ennahda party, which won 40 percent of the vote in recently held elections. Ennahda and a bloc of left-leaning parties control the new parliament. Mounia Laroussi, a school teacher, added, “What we want is for the authorities to come see us.”

Bank workers demand bosses resign

In Tunis, a struggle has been unfolding at the Central Bank, where employees have been protesting their working conditions. Demonstrators have demanded the resignation of the bank’s president and vice president.

The Deputy Secretary General of the Tunisian Bank Federation, Moaman al-Gharbi, said the union supported the Central Bank workers but did not have the authority to endorse their call for the resignation of the executives. Al-Gharbi said the demonstrations are based on years of frustration. (Tunisia-Live.net, Jan. 20)

The workers are also concerned about the overall role of the Central Bank in the national development of the country. Al-Gharbi noted, “Financial institutions are the backbone of the economy.”

The union leader added that the banks’ role “in sustainable development — especially in the interior regions of the country — needs to be specified and emphasized. The workers of the Central Bank do not wish to harm the country’s economy in any way, and will thus not hinder the operation of their institution.”

As the Tunisian working class escalated its struggles, the General Labor Union (UGTT) announced a comprehensive strike set for Jan. 25. However, this call was later rescinded until further notice.

Mongi Abdel-Rahim, spokesperson for the UGTT, said the general strike was suspended because of talks between the Minister of Social Affairs and representatives of Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali. Abdel-Rahim said that if, after March 30, the unions are not satisfied with the outcome, “We will resume the general strike.” (Tunisia-Live.net, Jan. 21)

At the 22nd Congress of the UGTT, held in December 2011, more left-leaning leaders were elected to official positions.

These recent developments show there is still a strong need for a broad-based alliance of progressive forces to ensure that the popular aims of the 2010-2011 uprising are not lost, but are upheld as an inspiration for deeper levels of struggle against neocolonialism and imperialism.