The Secretary-General of the Central Stevedores Union, Faycel Ben Somiya, announced that workers at the Port of Sousse have gone on strike due to the deteriorating situation at the facility.
Speaking on April 16, 2025, during the show Cappuccino hosted by Hiba Loussif on Jawhara FM, Faycel Ben Somiya stated that nearly all 100 dock workers at the Port of Sousse are participating in the strike. He explained that the protest was triggered by a recent decision to cut in half the number of workers assigned to unload each cargo shipment.
“The Port of Sousse is completely at a standstill… We used to work with teams of four onboard the ship and four on the quay… In just 24 hours, that number was cut to two workers on the ship and two on the quay… We can’t operate under these conditions… Some workers have retired… The overall workforce is insufficient… Additionally, sixteen workers are in a precarious situation,” he lamented.
Faycel Ben Somiya outlined the strikers’ main demands:
- A return to the original team size for unloading ships.
- The continuation of nighttime transport services for workers.
- Permanent employment for contracted workers with four years of service.
- An increase in meal allowances, in line with the regulations of the Tunisian Stevedoring and Handling Company.
- An increase in the Eid bonus.
- Compliance with labor laws regarding overtime compensation.
It’s important to note that the strike has completely halted cargo unloading at the Port of Sousse. Workers remain firm in their refusal to resume operations until their demand for the original unloading team structure is met.
Source: businessnews
