Being a Regional MEA Employer: Tunisia

Our Being a Regional MEA Employer series addresses the employment framework, legislative changes and challenges impacting employers and employees across a variety of jurisdictions. Our eighth episode focuses on Tunisia, a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa.

There are six countries which shape North Africa or the Maghreb; Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Sudan. When doing business in these countries it’s important to take into consideration the geo-political landscape as diplomatic issues have an impact on the economic environment and therefore doing business such as the issuance of visas or the blocking of imports. The Maghreb is influenced by the French and its legal system. 

Tunisia has a mixed legal system of civil law which is based on the French civil code and Islamic law. Arabic is the official language and French is the language of commerce. The employment environment in Tunisia is complex and has been affected by political instability, economic challenges, and high unemployment particularly amongst the younger generation. The government has implemented various policies and incentives to promote job creation and enable economic growth such as the national unemployment strategy, programmes to support entrepreneurship and encourage new businesses, and training and education particularly for the younger generation. In addition, new laws have been implemented to attract foreign investment in the technology and renewable energy sectors. There are many other investment opportunities available including in the manufacturing, agribusiness, plastic, textile, and electronic sectors. Moreover, the beaches and antiquities continue to provide investment opportunities in the tourism sector. 

In this episode, senior associate Amy Guest invites consultant Hakim Berrah to discuss the dynamic employment space in Tunisia and seek to answer the following questions:

1. What is happening in Tunisia?
2. From an employer’s perspective what are the key things an employer needs to know?
3. What are the opportunities for businesses? Where do you see a lot of activity taking place?
4. Is the employment framework employer friendly or employee friendly?

During this episode, employers and businesses will gain an understanding of the employment framework and a market update in Tunisia.

Our employment specialists assist employers with the full range of issues which arise in the workplace on a day-to-day basis. If you have any questions regarding the employment framework in Tunisia, please contact Sara Khoja, Hakim Berrah or Elodie Chalhoub.

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