Whether you are about to work or set up a business in Tunisia, the first thing you should do is inquire about the county's labor and economic situation. Indeed, this will allow you to determine whether you have the required qualifications and skills to work and live in this North African country.
Unemployment rate in Tunisia
According to the National Statistics Institution, the unemployment rate in the country has recently ridden to 17.8% following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Tunisian labor force is shared between three main sectors, namely agriculture (18.3%), industry (31.9%) and services (49.8%).
Policies for the protection and encouragement of the local workforce
Tunisia adopted the African Charter on the Human and Peoples Laws on March 16, 1983. According to article 15 of this Charter: Everyone has the right to work under equitable and satisfactory conditions and shall receive equal pay for equal work.
A national policy on emigration and immigration has been developed to eliminate all forms of frustration within the Tunisian population. However, there are some restrictions regarding the employment of foreign nationals and thus favoring that of locals to reduce the unemployment rate.
In all cases, national and foreign companies operating in the country may hire foreign professionals whereby the required expertise is not available locally. However, there is a limit regarding the number of foreign nationals that can be hired by sector.
Employment barometer in Tunisia
Active labor force: 3,199,000 people
Sectors: agriculture (16 %), industry (30 %), services (60 %)
The unemployment rate in 2022: 17.8%
Working conditions and wages in Tunisia
The Labor Code, as amended by Law 96-62 of 15 July 1996, fixed laws regarding working conditions in Tunisia. In fact, the code regulates the legal working age, the legal working week, entitlement to leaves, as well as employment contracts for both Tunisian and foreign workers.
Minimum working age in Tunisia
In Tunisia, children are allowed to work from the age of 16. However, the ability of children to work must be determined by medical supervision until the age of 18. In fact, a child can only remain in continuous employment provided he undergoes a medical examination every semester.
Working week in Tunisia
The legal working week consists of a maximum of 48 hours. Its duration can also be reduced without going lower than 40 hours a week.
An employee is entitled to a one-hour rest during his working day. This break can be taken once or several times.
As regards part-time jobs, the legal working week should not exceed 70% of the normal working week. Note that the accumulation of full-time and part-time work is prohibited.
Weekly rest in Tunisia
Agricultural and non-agricultural workers and their dependencies are entitled to a weekly rest day of twenty-four consecutive hours. This rest day may be granted either on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. In the agricultural sector, the rest day may also be granted on the weekly market day.
Annual leaves in Tunisia
All employees are entitled to a paid day off per month annually, provided he has been working for the same employer for a month at least.
However, the duration of the requested leave can not exceed a period of fifteen days with twelve working days. After five years of service with the same employer, the employee is entitled to an additional leave per period.
Leave dates are fixed on the 1st January of each year. In general, these are granted every year from June 1st to October 31.
The minimum salary in Tunisia
The minimum wage in Tunisia is guaranteed by a decree adopted following consultation with employer and employee trade unions in all sectors. Negotiations can thus be made between the parties concerned in compliance with this decree. Hence, the minimum wage in non-agricultural sectors is fixed for men and women aged 18 or less.
As of 2022, the minimum wage in Tunisia is set at 340 Tunisian dinars ($220) per month for a 48-hour work week. For a 40-hour work week, it is set at 290 dinars ($199) per month in the industrial sectors. Agricultural workers make from 9 dinars ($6.50) to 14 dinars ($10) per day.
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