Tunisia passes major labour law to protect workers
Tunisia has passed a new labour law to ensure stronger job security and better workplace safety for workers in the country.
The law also includes a ban on subcontracting.
Approved by parliament on May 27, the law is being described as one of the most important changes to Tunisia’s employment system in recent years.
It aims to protect workers from unstable job conditions and improve their rights at work.
Under the new law, permanent contracts will become the standard for most jobs, according to local reports.
Fixed-term contracts will only be allowed in special cases, such as covering for an absent employee or seasonal work.
If these conditions are not met, fixed contracts will automatically be turned into permanent ones.
Subcontracting of labour, a common but often criticised practice, has also been banned.
This means workers who were previously hired through subcontracting firms will now be given permanent roles with the companies they were working for.
Employees whose temporary contracts were ended between March and the date the new law takes effect will either be offered permanent jobs or given compensation based on how long they worked.
The law also introduces stricter health and safety rules at the workplace, with heavier penalties for companies that fail to follow them.
For the first time, remote work will be officially regulated, giving both employers and workers clear rules to follow.
Trade unions have since welcomed the reform and said it marks a step toward fairer and more stable working conditions in Tunisia.
They have also urged the government to make sure the new rules are enforced across the country.
