What are the key issues in your union?

The main issue is defending workers’ acquired rights, including wages. We are dealing with the impact of globalisation and restructuring, which is leading to regressive social codes. New private sector practices – casualisation and outsourcing – are leading to a clampdown on workers’ rights.

Transport in Tunisia is a public service, but now government is taking it away from the public sector. So unions are fighting against this. The government introduced the private sector to compete with the public sector under the slogan of quality and safety. We’re saying the private sector doesn’t prioritise safety. Wages in the sector are also 60 per cent lower than in the public sector.

What message do you want to give to congress?

In this time we are seeing double standards everywhere and the rules of the neo-liberal system are being applied globally. Where we see injustice and unfairness, we need all workers to show solidarity.

A weak union facing a strong company can benefit when other unions in the country strike in a show of support. When you apply this globally, this will be even more effective. Unions should also use the influence of the media to promote their cause and to help win workers their rights. A single union cannot face the challenges by itself.

How useful is it to meet with representatives of other unions?

Although I have a lot of experience of the trade union movement, I am still learning a lot from other people’s experiences. I am also looking to develop sub-regional and regional cooperation with other unions. Each union gathering has value and this is a big gathering so it has a big value.

What are your hopes for the future?

In this dark world I hope that we can work in solidarity together to make it a little brighter.