In pictures: Tunisia wage strike hits normal life
Street protests draw thousands as huge UGTT union stages one-day nationwide strike to challenge government's refusal to raise salaries of some 670,000 public servants.
Tunisian workers stage a protest in front of the national union headquarters in the capital Tunis, Thursday, January 17, 2019.
Workers around Tunisia went on strike on Thursday to demand higher pay in a standoff with a government struggling to reduce unemployment, poverty and social tensions.
All flights in and out of the north African country's main airport were cancelled, and schools nationwide were closed.
Ports, public transport, hospitals and other public services were also disrupted.
Thousands of people gathered at the national union headquarters in Tunis and marched through the capital's main thoroughfare, carrying signs reading "Get Out!" and "The People Want the Fall of the Regime." Rallies were also held in other cities.
People gather during a nationwide strike against the government's refusal to raise wages in Tunis, Tunisia on January 17, 2019. Unions want an end to salary freezes for Tunisia's over 600,000 public sector workers.
Noureddine Taboubi, secretary general of the Tunisian General Labour Union, speaks to the crowd. Tabboubi, accused the government of "neglecting the workers" as runaway inflation has eroded purchasing power.
People hold defaced photos of International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde during a nationwide strike against the government's refusal to raise wages in Tunis. The IMF has urged public sector salary freezes and other reforms in exchanges for loans to Tunisia's struggling economy.
People hold defaced photos of International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde. An economic crisis has eroded living standards for Tunisians, and unemployment is high as political turmoil and lack of reforms have deterred investment needed to create jobs.
Travellers wait at Tunis-Carthage airport outside Tunis. The union boss accused the government of being afraid to "move a little finger without the green light" of the IMF.
Other cities also saw protests, including Sidi Bouzid, the cradle of the 2011 revolution, Gafsa, Jendouba and Sfax.
A man holds a loaf of bread in his hand during a nationwide strike against the government. Government and union sources say the government has proposed spending about $400 million on pay rises versus $850 million the UGTT wants.
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