Economist Habib Zitouna spoke on Express FM about the State of the Global Workplace 2025 report on worker engagement in the North Africa and Middle East region, which ranks Tunisia 16th, ahead of only Egypt and Lebanon.
In Tunisia, the percentage of workers who are engaged in their work does not exceed 8%.
The labor market is segmented into the public, private and informal sectors. More than 30% of Tunisian workers have no contract or social security cover. The lack of flexibility prevents both companies from expanding and workers from gaining access to better working conditions.
According to Zitouna, low employee engagement results in a loss of 8% of GDP. Low wages drive some workers to take on second jobs, reducing their main commitment.
He also criticized the business climate, which he said was not conducive to the development of companies and therefore to the improvement of wages and working conditions.
Finally, he highlighted generational differences, particularly with Generation Z, whose working methods are different.
The Tunisian system has failed to adapt to these changes, which he described as a collective failure.
He concluded by pointing out that Tunisia’s legal labor framework, based on the 1978 sectoral agreements, is outdated in the face of market changes and the emergence of new professions.
