The Federation of Banks and Financial Establishments of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT-FGBEF) has written a solidarity letter expressing support for Lebanese finance workers, whose right to organise is under attack.

According to the letter, the right of Lebanese finance workers to organise and bargain collectively is under attack by the Association of Banks in Lebanon, which is attempting to reverse the social gains achieved in the sector over decades.

The Tunisian union declares its  total support for the unions and to the employees in the Lebanese finance sector, saying that attempts to undermine workers’ rights are unethical and incongruent with international labour standards. The letter calls on the Lebanese Ministry to intervene immediately to help resolve the crisis and facilitate dialogue between the parties.

The UGTT stresses that engaging unions as partners in professional and social issues is necessary to avoid crisis and guarantee social peace, as well as to retain highly skilled and experienced workers in the sector. It is also necessary to resolve pension issues to guarantee a decent living in retirement for workers in the sector.

The letter concludes:

“We as a federation of Banks and Financial Institutions in Tunisia and a member and vice president for the Africa Region and North Africa and Middle East of UNI Global Union, will start the appropriate actions to support our fellow workers and their unions in Lebanon to preserve and advance their legitimate rights.”