Tunisia refers its ambassador to Bahrain and others to forced retirement
According to media reports, Tunisian Minister of the Interior, Taoufik Charfeddine, referred to forced retirement a number of security leaders, foremost among them Kamal al-Qaizani, who served as Tunisian ambassador in Bahrain, pointing out that al-Qaizani was arrested pending investigation in cases related to national security, according to MENA Observatory.
The Ministry of the Interior announced, Tuesday, that Minister Taoufik Charfeddine supervised the work of the Supreme Council of the Internal Security Forces, which was held on Monday, January 10. It said that the Council discussed several issues, including the general security situation in the country, strengthening coordination to confront terrorism, and deciding on six referrals to forced retirement, without mentioning the names of those concerned.
Tunisian media said those referred for mandatory retirement include figures who worked in the border administration, foreigners, security supervisors at Tunisian embassies abroad and a former director general at the interior ministry.
This referral comes within a series of dismissals and exemptions for a number of officials and leaders in high positions in the Tunisian state since July 25, when President Kais Saied imposed exceptional measures, including the freezing of the work of the parliament, the issuance of legislation by presidential decrees, the dismissal of the prime minister, and the appointment of a new government.
The Tunisian government also published an explanation of Circular No. 20 on the negotiation process with trade unions, which was heavily criticized. In a statement published on its official Facebook page, the government denied information that it intends to strike the right to organize.
The government explained that the purpose of the circular is to coordinate between ministries, public institutions and institutions on the one hand, and the presidency of the government on the other hand, and has nothing to do with the intention of striking the right of union work guaranteed by the law.
The Tunisian General Labor Union criticized Circular No. 20, issued by the Prime Minister’s office, concerning the reduction of 10% of wages, describing it as a “state scandal” and calling on the government to retract it.
Slaheddine Sellami, assistant secretary-general of the Labor Union, said that the publication No. 20, which was primarily addressed to trade unions, violates the depth of social dialog; this is fueling the social situation in the country.
