Tunisia is preparing for a day of major paralysis on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, following a call for a general strike issued by the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), the country’s main and powerful trade union.
This nationwide mobilization, the first general strike of such magnitude since President Kaïs Saïed consolidated his power, poses a serious threat to the normal functioning of the state and the economy.
According to analyses by the security firm A3M, users should expect significant disruptions to public life, severely impacting public transportation, government services, and all daily activities in major urban areas.
Although the UGTT (Tunisian General Labour Union) has not yet released a detailed list of participating sectors, the union anticipates massive participation from workers, reflecting a highly tense social climate following weeks of sporadic demonstrations in several cities.
The travel portal « Reise vor 9 » and various international observers are warning of the collateral risks of this movement, not ruling out the possibility of increased road blockades, spontaneous demonstrations, and isolated violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement.
For travelers and residents, this « Black Wednesday » symbolizes a political and social turning point, where the UGTT’s capacity for mobilization will serve as a test of resilience against the firm stance adopted by the Carthage Palace in a still uncertain global economic context.