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Tunisia to Propose Wage, Subsidy Cuts in IMF Talks, Document Shows

People walk in the center of Tunis, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, Tunisia, April 29, 2021. (Reuters)
People walk in the center of Tunis, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, Tunisia, April 29, 2021. (Reuters)
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Tunisia to Propose Wage, Subsidy Cuts in IMF Talks, Document Shows

People walk in the center of Tunis, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, Tunisia, April 29, 2021. (Reuters)
People walk in the center of Tunis, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, Tunisia, April 29, 2021. (Reuters)

Tunisia will cut its public sector wage bill and replace subsidies with direct support for the needy, according to a government reform proposal written to support talks with the International Monetary Fund and seen by Reuters.

The proposal, shown to Reuters by a government source, envisages eliminating all general subsidies by 2024 and cutting the wage bill to 15% of GDP by 2022 from 17.4% last year, partly through early retirement and reductions in working hours.

A Tunisian government delegation led by the finance minister is starting talks with the IMF this week and will seek $4 billion in loans, Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi told Reuters last week.

The IMF has previously called on Tunisia to enact economic reforms to reduce chronic fiscal deficits and a large public sector debt, including by cutting its wage bill, subsidies and transfers to state-owned companies.

Spending cuts are highly sensitive in the young democracy, where growing frustration over the economy and poor public services fueled protests in January, and where powerful labor unions seek to protect workers' pay.

The reform proposal says the government aims to implement the changes in order to restore "economic equilibrium" and adds that it seeks to do so "without social costs".

The reforms are broadly in line with ideas laid out by Finance Minister Ali Kooli in an interview with Reuters in January.

The proposals to cut the wage bill specify encouraging voluntary redundancy on 25% pay, early retirement packages and offering staff part time work at 50% of full pay.

The plan says it is "essential to rethink the pay system in consultation with social partners", a reference to the labor unions, particularly by establishing rules for salary increases and bonuses that reflect both inflation and performance.

Last week the biggest union, UGTT, which has more than a million members, called for new negotiations on public sector pay.

It signed a general agreement with the government last month on economic reform that was seen as a necessary precursor to talks with the IMF, which are expected to last several weeks.

The proposal to cut subsidies would involve first phasing out food subsidies and then gradually ending subsidies for electricity and petrol, the document showed.

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Oil Falls by 13% After Iran Declares Strait of Hormuz Open

Hafnia Lillesand, a crude oil and product tanker, sits at Viva Energy Australia's Gore Bay fuel terminal overlooking the city skyline in Sydney, Australia April 14, 2026. (Reuters)
Hafnia Lillesand, a crude oil and product tanker, sits at Viva Energy Australia's Gore Bay fuel terminal overlooking the city skyline in Sydney, Australia April 14, 2026. (Reuters)
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Oil Falls by 13% After Iran Declares Strait of Hormuz Open

Hafnia Lillesand, a crude oil and product tanker, sits at Viva Energy Australia's Gore Bay fuel terminal overlooking the city skyline in Sydney, Australia April 14, 2026. (Reuters)
Hafnia Lillesand, a crude oil and product tanker, sits at Viva Energy Australia's Gore Bay fuel terminal overlooking the city skyline in Sydney, Australia April 14, 2026. (Reuters)

Oil prices plunged by about 13% on Friday after Iran's foreign minister said passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz was open for the remaining ceasefire period and US President Donald Trump said Iran has agreed to never close the strait again.

Brent crude futures fell $12.87, or 12.95%, to $86.52 a barrel by 10:50 a.m. EDT (1450 GMT), after falling to a session low of $86.09. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down $13.50, or 14.26%, at $81.19 a barrel, after touching $80.56.

Both contracts were trading at ‌their lowest since ‌March 10, and set for their largest daily declines ‌since ⁠April 8.

Iranian Foreign ⁠Minister Abbas Araqchi said the Strait of Hormuz was open following the agreement of a ceasefire in Lebanon.

"Comments from Iran's foreign minister indicate a de-escalation as long as the ceasefire is in place, now we need to see if the number of tankers crossing the Strait increases substantially," UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said.

PROGRESS IN NEGOTIATIONS

The US and Iran have made progress in the negotiations over a three-page memorandum of understanding to ⁠end the war, according to an Axios reporter on X.

Prices had ‌already fallen earlier in the session as ‌possible further talks between the United States and Iran over the weekend and a 10-day ceasefire ‌between Lebanon and Israel raised investors' hopes the war in the Middle East ‌could be nearing an end.

Addressing a sticking point in talks, Trump said Tehran had offered to not possess nuclear weapons for more than 20 years.

"We're going to see what happens. But I think we're very close to making a deal with Iran," Trump told reporters ‌outside the White House on Thursday.

Trump also said on Friday that the United States has banned Israel from further bombing ⁠in Lebanon, using ⁠a harsher tone than usual with the longtime US ally.

Shortly after the announcement that the strait was open, a US official told Reuters that a military blockade of Iran involving more than 10,000 personnel remains in effect.

While the opening up of the strait was a step in the right direction, the European market would remain tight for a while, analyst Ole Hvalbye at SEB Research said, since it takes roughly 21 days for ships to move from the Gulf to Rotterdam, the main crude port in the region.

Traffic could be halted once again in the strait, if an agreement about Iran’s nuclear ambitions and lifting the US sanctions remains elusive, said Tamas Varga, an analyst at PVM Oil Associates.

Business

Saudi CEDA Reviews Vision 2030 Progress

Buildings are seen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 18, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser 
Buildings are seen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 18, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser 
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Saudi CEDA Reviews Vision 2030 Progress

Buildings are seen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 18, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser 
Buildings are seen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 18, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser 

Saudi Arabia’s Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA) held a virtual meeting to consider a package of strategic reports outlining the Kingdom’s economic and development trajectory.

The council issued the 2025 annual report on Saudi Vision 2030, showing clear progress across its three pillars — a vibrant society, a thriving economy and an ambitious nation — while underscoring the resilience of the national economy, supported by prudent fiscal policies and solid logistics infrastructure.

The report highlighted qualitative advances during the Vision’s second phase, reflecting its flexibility and ability to adapt to changing conditions in line with its third phase. It emphasized efforts to build on gains achieved in the first two phases and accelerate implementation by sharpening priorities and advancing national programs and strategies.

Resilience amid global developments

CEDA also discussed the monthly report from the Ministry of Economy and Planning, which covered global economic developments and growth prospects in light of current regional events and their repercussions for both major and emerging economies.

The report examined the impact of geopolitical tensions on Gulf economies and supply chains, as well as their potential implications for Saudi Arabia’s economic and financial outlook. It pointed to the Kingdom’s “exceptional resilience,” supported by strong economic and fiscal policies and robust logistics infrastructure.

Public sector performance

The council reviewed a presentation by the National Center for Performance Measurement of Public Agencies (Adaa) on its 2025 annual performance report. The findings showed continued positive performance by government entities in meeting targets, reflecting stable delivery and efficient execution.

The report also outlined the center’s work in strengthening the measurement of national strategies and reviewing strategic documents to ensure that indicators and initiatives fully cover all objectives. It included results from the latest evaluation cycle of performance management practices across public entities.

CEDA also discussed a presentation by the National Center for Privatization (NCP), highlighting key results for the second half of 2025, including the performance of supervisory committees and progress on major projects. The presentation showed improved overall performance and an increase in the number of privatization projects during the period.

Grand Mosque services and infrastructure

The council discussed a presentation by the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites on projects in the central area of the Grand Mosque in Makkah. The briefing addressed the use of advanced technologies to monitor and manage waste, measures to facilitate the movement of vehicles and goods into the central area, and steps to enhance safety procedures and intensify oversight of expansion projects to ensure the safety of worshippers.

It also outlined a three-year plan covering systems related to health, safety, security and the environment.

Governance and policy updates

Moreover, CEDA saw a report on the updated national framework for governance, risk, compliance and internal audit functions, including its pilot application across selected government entities, proposals for broader implementation and mechanisms to measure compliance.

The council also considered a number of procedural matters, including a draft national intellectual property policy.

It was briefed on the semiannual report of the ministerial committee on social support and subsidies, as well as updates from the committee on improving the balance of payments and advancing economic diversification.

Further briefings included a monthly report on progress in implementing the executive plan to host regional headquarters of international organizations, a quarterly report from the standing committee for price monitoring, and summaries of the latest consumer price index and wholesale price index reports, along with the underlying data.

Business

1st SKorean Tanker Transits Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu in Alternative Red Sea Route

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung delivers a eulogy during a memorial service to pay tribute to the victims of the sinking of the ferry Sewol off Jin Island on South Korea's southwest coast in Ansan, south of Seoul, South Korea, 16 April 2026. EPA/YONHAP
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung delivers a eulogy during a memorial service to pay tribute to the victims of the sinking of the ferry Sewol off Jin Island on South Korea's southwest coast in Ansan, south of Seoul, South Korea, 16 April 2026. EPA/YONHAP
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1st SKorean Tanker Transits Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu in Alternative Red Sea Route

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung delivers a eulogy during a memorial service to pay tribute to the victims of the sinking of the ferry Sewol off Jin Island on South Korea's southwest coast in Ansan, south of Seoul, South Korea, 16 April 2026. EPA/YONHAP
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung delivers a eulogy during a memorial service to pay tribute to the victims of the sinking of the ferry Sewol off Jin Island on South Korea's southwest coast in Ansan, south of Seoul, South Korea, 16 April 2026. EPA/YONHAP

A South Korean oil tanker has transited the Red Sea for the first time since the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Seoul's oceans ministry said on Friday.

Import-dependent South Korea has taken steps to mitigate the risks to its energy supplies since US-Israeli attacks on Iran in late February prompted Tehran to shut off access to the strait, now under a US blockade.

Seoul has sought new sources of oil and said this month that it would send five Korean-flagged ships to the Saudi Arabian Red Sea port of Yanbu to establish alternative routes.

The ministry announced on Friday the "first case of crude oil being transported into the country via the Red Sea, a detour, since the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz".

President Lee Jae Myung called it "a valuable achievement made by the relevant ministries moving as one team".

"I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who worked hard day and night despite difficult conditions, especially the sailors," he said on X.

Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff to the president, said on Wednesday that South Korea had secured supplies of more than 270 million barrels of crude oil via routes unaffected by Hormuz crisis through the end of the year.

The figure is equivalent to more than three months of South Korea's oil needs based on last year's figures, Kang said.

The official recently returned from a trip to Kazakhstan, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar in a bid to secure alternative fuel sources.