Tunisian police are protesting over salaries

Thousands of Tunisian police officers took to the streets on Monday, demanding wage increases.

“Our accounts are in the red” and “ We defend the nation, we want our rights” chanted protesters as they marched to the presidential palace in Carthage on the outskirts of the capital Tunis.

“We seek to improve our situation, like other sectors, especially because we are in the front line to defend the country,” said Chokri Hamada, spokesman of the police union.

The union also says wages have not kept up with the rate of inflation.

The demonstration was organised after the failure of negotiations with the government on salary increases. A government official said the cost of the pay increases demanded by police would amount to $480 000, which they cannot afford.

The protest comes after a wave of violent demonstrations against unemployment in that country last week.

Tunisia is struggling economically and the worry about jobs, hight costs and lack of opportunities is manifesting itself amongst its citizens.

Unemployment stood at 15.3 percent in 2015, up from 12 percent in 2010, due to weak growth and lower investment.