The Role of Labour

Labour During and Post-Arab Spring in Tunisia

January 28, 2016

Primary Contributor: Duncan Spilsbury

Team Leader: Sabrine Elejel 

Key Words: Tunisia, Arab-Spring, Unemployment, Youth, Workers’ Rights, Labour

A contributing factor that aided to the overall displeasure with the Tunisian government pre-Arab Spring was the poverty, unemployment, and lack of economic democracy and opportunity. With the Tunisian unemployment rate bordering at 17%, during the Arab Spring in 2011, it is evident that the conditions available to the potential labour force in Tunisia contributed to the political unrest within the country. With the adoption of a democratic government, the unemployment rate has been on the decline, settling at 15.3%.

While there is an improvement occurring in the availability of jobs, the age of the applicant is a major factor as to whether a company will hire a worker. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the unemployment rate for the youth of Tunisia is almost at 40%. With this many able bodies not being able to work, there is a large block of potential people who could contribute to the recovering economy that are left out.

In addition to the age barrier, education contributes to the lack of jobs that are available to younger people. With the public sector being the largest employer for individuals coming out of university, the process of hiring individuals right out of post-secondary education has faltered. A report released by the African Development Bank Group stated that there was a “severe mismatch” in the skills that young workers had, compared to what was required by private sector employers, and the degree that they were taking at university did not reflect the skills needed to succeed in private industries, only in civil service. In order to incorporate the young educated individuals into the workforce, a variety of degrees encompassing mathematics, science, and analytical thinking must be offered.

While there is a Labour Code in place in Tunisia, protecting individuals from forced labour, child labour, and regulations pertaining to the length of time worked, these regulations are not always followed. A report that was released in June 2013 stated that a large portion of Tunisians are working illegally in the informal sector. Tarek Lamouchi, a project coordinator for the Global Fairness Initiative stated that informal employment is “a phenomenon that has been widely visible, especially after the revolution, but it is very difficult to measure or discern”. Informal workers are subjected to long hours, low wages, and unsafe working conditions, which goes against the norms and regulations set out by the International Labor Organization. An organization with the name of The Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF) is currently supporting the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES). The FTDES is in place to help with the the development of advocacy actions based on a human rights approach. Shira Stanton from the ASF stated “the FTDES will put pressure on state authorities to ensure, for example that factories comply with legislation on minimum wages, contribute to the social security system, and ensure safe working conditions. It is estimated that 1500 workers will benefit from this program, workers who have been effected by corruption, textile workers, unemployed youth and the disadvantaged.

If Tunisia develops a plan to combat the lack of employment among the youth, and mitigates the informal working conditions that have expanded post-Arab Spring, then they would be able to have more individuals contributing to the economy that is in a current slump.