Train Employees Go on Strike in Tunisia over Unmet Govt Pledges

A general view of Habib Bourguiba Avenue in downtown Tunis, virtually deserted on the first day of a general lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) ordered by Tunisia's president, in Tunis, Tunisia, March 22, 2020. (Reuters)
A general view of Habib Bourguiba Avenue in downtown Tunis, virtually deserted on the first day of a general lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) ordered by Tunisia's president, in Tunis, Tunisia, March 22, 2020. (Reuters)
TT

Train Employees Go on Strike in Tunisia over Unmet Govt Pledges

A general view of Habib Bourguiba Avenue in downtown Tunis, virtually deserted on the first day of a general lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) ordered by Tunisia's president, in Tunis, Tunisia, March 22, 2020. (Reuters)
A general view of Habib Bourguiba Avenue in downtown Tunis, virtually deserted on the first day of a general lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) ordered by Tunisia's president, in Tunis, Tunisia, March 22, 2020. (Reuters)

Employees of state-owned National Society of Tunisian Railways went on strike on Thursday over unmet government pledges.

The one-day strike included the freight transport, commuter, long-distance and suburb lines.

The employees were demanding the implementation of a previous agreement signed with the government years ago and the settlement of professional matters including promotions and work conditions.

This strike coincided with the Tunisian General Labor Union protests that have been ongoing for weeks against the ruling authority’s policies and current social situation.

Head of the "private railways syndicate", Najib Al-Jelassi‎‏ said the strike “was not the aim but the means” to obtain the rights of employees.

The strike is the result of the authority’s failure to fulfill its previous commitments, he added.

Separately, the Independent High Authority for Elections is mulling plans to hold municipal elections later this year. They were first held on May 6, 2018.

Independent High Authority for Elections president Farouk Bouasker expected the elections to take place between June 15 and the beginning of July.

He stressed that the Authority was ready to stage the polls.



Israel Defense Minister Katz Says Israel Has Defeated Hezbollah

Israeli outgoing Foreign Minister and new Defense Minister Israel Katz speaks during the Ministerial change ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, 10 November 2024. (EPA)
Israeli outgoing Foreign Minister and new Defense Minister Israel Katz speaks during the Ministerial change ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, 10 November 2024. (EPA)
TT

Israel Defense Minister Katz Says Israel Has Defeated Hezbollah

Israeli outgoing Foreign Minister and new Defense Minister Israel Katz speaks during the Ministerial change ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, 10 November 2024. (EPA)
Israeli outgoing Foreign Minister and new Defense Minister Israel Katz speaks during the Ministerial change ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, 10 November 2024. (EPA)

Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday that his country has defeated Hezbollah and that eliminating its leader Hassan Nasrallah was the crowning achievement.

"Now it is our job to continue to put pressure in order to bring about the fruits of that victory," Katz said during a ceremony at Israel's foreign ministry.

Katz said Israel is not interested in meddling in internal Lebanese politics as Israel has "learned our lessons", but that he hoped an international coalition would capitalize on this opportunity politically and that Lebanon would join other countries in normalizing relations with Israel.