Tunisian officials have said that Tunis aims for a $3 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund, which has said it will not move forward with a bailout sought by Tunis unless the government brings on board the UGTT union, which has previously shut down the economy in strikes.
The government and the UGTT on Thursday signed a deal to boost public sector wages by 5%, a step that may ease social tensions. But they did not announce any further agreement on reforms needed for an IMF bailout.
"The Tunisian negotiating team was in contact yesterday with (the) IMF regarding the last terms of the agreement with the Fund," Nasreddine Nsibi, the government spokesperson, said.
"We seek to reach a deal with the IMF before the end of October, which would make Tunisia able to fulfil all its commitments, including providing foods and energy products, paying wages and debt service," he added.
Fitch Ratings said on Friday that Tunisia’s wage agreement raises the likelihood of an IMF deal.
Tunisia is struggling to revive its public finances as discontent grows over inflation running at nearly 9% and a shortage of many food items in stores because the country can't afford to pay for some imports.
The IMF and major foreign donors want Tunisia to push ahead with cuts in subsidies and the restructuring of state-owned companies as well as steps to bring the public sector wage bill under control.
