EU Ambassador Giuseppe Perrone held talks on Monday with UGTT Secretary-General Noureddine Taboubi, praising the union’s historic role in winning the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize and reaffirming the bloc’s commitment to cooperating with Tunisian civil society.
In a statement, the presidency said Saied delivered a “strongly worded protest” and accused the ambassador of acting “outside official diplomatic channels.”
The move comes amid escalating tensions between the government and civil society organisations. Tunisian authorities have suspended the activities of several groups, including Democratic Women, Nawaat Journalists and the Economic and Social Forum, drawing criticism from international rights bodies.
Amnesty International recently warned that the crackdown on NGOs had reached “critical levels,” citing arbitrary arrests, asset freezes, banking restrictions and suspensions affecting at least 14 organisations.
While the UGTT — which has more than one million members — has not been formally targeted, it has accused the government of restricting trade union freedoms and unilaterally halting agreements. Earlier this month, it threatened a nationwide strike to defend labour rights.
Tensions have widened as Tunisia battles a deepening political and economic crisis. Protests have spread across sectors including opposition groups, journalists, medical workers and banks.
Relations between Tunisia and the EU have deteriorated sharply since 2021, when Saied seized broad powers and began ruling by decree, a move condemned by the opposition as a coup.