The Presidency of the Republic of Tunisia ordered on Saturday the expulsion of the General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Esther Lynch.

In a statement, the presidency said that “on the orders of President Kais Saied, the Tunisian authorities have ordered the departure of Esther Lynch”, accused of “flagrant interference” in the internal affairs of the country.

Esther Lynch “took part in a protest organised by the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) and made remarks that constitute flagrant interference in Tunisia's internal affairs,” the statement said. The authorities have given her 24 hours to leave Tunisia where she is now considered “persona non grata”, the same source said.

Earlier in the day, the European trade union leader took part in a protest that brought together thousands of trade unionists in the central-eastern city of Sfax, on the call of the UGTT.

Condemning the incident, the spokesperson for the trade union centre said that the expulsion “does not honour Tunisia.” The Arab Trade Union Confederation (ATUC) issued a statement expressing its support for the UGTT and for Esther Lynch.