Tunisian towns call strike over economy, jobs

Four towns in Tunisia's main phosphate-producing region began a general strike on Wednesday to protest against unemployment, as figures showed industrial activity fell sharply in early 2015. Hundreds of people took to the streets of Metlaoui, Om Lrayes, Mdhila and Redayef in the North African country's southern "mining basin", while public institutions and most shops there were closed, residents and officials said.
The southern protests are a major challenge to government efforts to revive the economy after Tunisia completed its transition to democracy following the 2011 uprising that ousted autocrat Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali.