Basic Facts

Tunisia is a country in Northern Africa bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Neighboring countries include Algeria and Libya. The geography of Tunisia is varied and consists of mountains in the north and semi-arid south that merge into the Sahara. The land has a total area of 163,610 square kilometers and a total coastline of 1,148 kilometers. The country has about 30 islands. 

 

*Please note that the official currency is the currency of remuneration when employed through WorkMotion in Tunisia.

Capital :
Tunis
Currency :
Tunisian dinar (TND)
Languages spoken :
Arabic, Tunisian Arabic/Darija, French
Population :
11.94 million (2021 est.)
Minimum wage 2023 :
Varies as per weekly working hours
Cost of Living index :
$ (132 of 139 countries)
Payroll Frequency :
Monthly
VAT - standard rate :
19%
GDP - real growth rate :
3.3% (2021 est.)

Statutory Holidays

The national holidays mentioned below are valid for the year 2024.

Date
Holiday Name
Extra Information
January 1
New Year’s Day
March 20
Independence Day
April 9
Martyr’s Day
April 10
Eid-al-Fitr
Movable
April 11
Eid-al-Fitr Holiday
Movable
April 12
Eid-al-Fitr Holiday
Movable
May 1
Labor Day
June 16 - 17
Eid-Al-Adha
Movable
July 25
Republic Holiday
July 7
Islamic New Year
Movable
August 13
Women's Day
September 15
Prophet Muhammad`s Birthday
Movable
October 15
Evacuation Day
December 17
Revolution and Youth Day

Contract Sharing Time


The approximate time for sharing the contract with an employee in Tunisia is 14 business days assuming no special requests or changes to our standard employment contract. Any such requests or changes would need to undergo internal and external review, directly leading to a time delay.

NOTE: This number is subject to change and is only an estimation of the Contract Sharing Time. The estimated Contract Sharing Time begins from the moment that WorkMotion has received all required information from both the client and the employee.

What You Need To Know


  • Discrimination between men and women that results in gender-based differences in wages is prohibited.
  • The employment of women in underground mines, quarries, or sites where recovery, processing, or storage of scrap metal is done is prohibited.
  • The minimum wage is 429.312 TND per month for 48 hours- working week and 365.732 TND per month for 40 hours working week.
  • Depending on the level of employment, the probation period ranges from 6 months to 1 year.
  • In cases of dismissal for fault, there is no entitlement to severance pay.

Labor Conditions


Working Hours

The actual working time must not exceed 48 hours per week. This period may be reduced without being less than 40 hours per week or an equivalent limitation established over a period of time other than the week, and not exceeding one year by collective agreements, or by regulatory texts, after consultation with the employers and workers trade unions.

Overtime

Overtime cannot exceed 12 hours in a 48 hour week or 20 hours in a 40 hour week. Overtime pay depends on whether the employee is working a 48-hour or 40-hour week. A worker is entitled to overtime monetary compensation calculated as follows: 

Worker Category Overtime Premium
48 hours per week full-time worker 75% of basic rate
40 hours per week full-time worker 25% of basic rate up to 48 hours

50% of basic rate on subsequent hours

Part-time worker 50% of basic rate
Probation Period

The length of the probationary period is regulated by collective agreements, individual contracts, and customs.

In most other collective agreements the probationary period is:

  • Six months for execution employees;
  • Nine months for technicians;
  • One year for managers and supervisors. This period can be renewed once or reduced by mutual agreement.

 

Termination Notice Period

In order to terminate an indefinite employment contract, a written notice to the other party at least one month prior to termination. A longer notice period can also be provided if there are provisions from a contractual or collective agreement.

Leave / Time Off

Annual Leave

The legal minimum for paid time off is 18 days per year.

Sick Leave

Employees must inform their employer within 48 hours of the illness and provide a medical certificate. The Sickness benefit is paid after a five-day waiting period of up to 180 days a year from Social security. The insured employee receives 66.7% of their daily average earnings for 180 days after a five-day waiting period. For up to 180 days a year for each next year, they receive 50%.

Parental Leave

Employees receive one day of parental leave funded by the social security fund. The parental leave benefit is equal to the average daily wage, calculated based on the insured’s earnings received in the last quarter. 

 

Maternity Leave

Female employees receive 30 days of maternity leave. In case of illness or complications arising due to pregnancy or confinement, an employee is entitled to an additional 15 days’ leave. 

Employees are paid two-thirds (66.7%) of the average daily wage as a maternity leave benefit during the period of maternity leave and any extension thereof on medical grounds by Social Security.

 

Paternity Leave

Fathers working in the private sector are entitled to one day of paternity leave at each birth and the leave must be taken within seven days following the birth.

The beneficiary receives an allowance equivalent to the remuneration that he would have perceived if he had worked the same day. The employer shall make the payment to the employee immediately after the expiration of his leave. The employer can further be reimbursed by Social Security upon production of relevant documents.

Other Types of Paid Leave

Work-related injury leave

 

There is no qualifying period, but the accident must be reported to the employer within 48 hours and be assessed. The injured employer will receive 66.7% of their average daily earnings for the highest-paid period before the disability began. Payments will be given after a three-day waiting period and last until the employee has recovered.

Statutory Benefits

The National Social Security Fund is responsible for the management of:

  • The system of family benefits (family allowances and the increase for single salary, allowances for birth leave, allowances for leave of young workers).
  • Social insurance system (death benefit, death benefit).
  • Old-age, invalidity, and survivors’ pension schemes for employees and self-employed persons as well as the supplementary pension scheme for employees in the non-agricultural sector whose remuneration exceeds 6 times the guaranteed inter-professional minimum wage

The social security system is financed by contributions from both employers (16.57%, reduced to 0.5% for wholly industrial exporting companies) and employees (9.18%) based on salaries.

The employer also pays accident insurance (0.4% to 4%), Social Housing Promotion Fund Tax (FOPROLOS) of 1%, and Vocational Training Tax (TFP) of 2%.

 

Benefit type Contribution rate
Social security 16.57%
Accident Insurance 0.4% to 4%
Social Housing Promotion Fund Tax (FOPROLOS) 1%
Vocational Training Tax (TFP) 2%
Total 19.97% to 23.57%

Health Insurance

The public health insurance scheme is managed by the National Health Insurance Fund or Caisse Nationale d’Assurance Maladie (CNAM). It is compulsory for everyone – including foreigners living and working in Tunisia. Spouses and minor children are also eligible for health insurance as dependents.

Employers typically handle registration for their employees. Benefits can only be received if the main insurer has either worked at least 50 days during the last two quarters or at least 80 days during the last four quarters.

Health insurance is financed by social security taxes. The employer contributes 16.57% towards social security.

Other Insurances

Accident Insurance

 

The system of compensation for employment injury and occupational diseases makes provision for the granting of the following benefits:

  • Health care required by the state of the health of the victim;
  • Daily allowances granted throughout the period of temporary incapacity, which amount to two-thirds of the wage/salary of the victim;
  • The provision, repair, and replacement of orthopedic appliances, and artificial limbs needed by the victim;
  • Pensions in the event of permanent incapacity of 15 % or more;
  • Survivors’ pensions in the event of the death of the victim, with amounts ranging from 50% of the wage/salary for one single survivor (spouse or child) to 80% of that wage/salary for four survivors or more.

Employers contribute between 0.4% to 4.0% of gross payroll, depending on the assessed degree of risk and the employer’s reported accident rate.

 

 

Unemployment Insurance

 

 In Tunisia, the National Social Security Fund finances the cost of all unemployment benefits according to available resources. To receive unemployment benefits, one must have at least 12 quarters of contributions towards social security, be involuntarily unemployed, be ineligible for an old-age pension or a disability pension, and be registered at an employment office.

Unemployment benefits amount to one month of the insured’s salary, up to the legal monthly minimum wage. The benefits are paid for up to 12 months.

Public Pension

For an old-age pension, a worker must have attained 60 years of age with at least 120 months (10 years) of contributions or 50 years of age (in case of hazardous work) with at least 180 months (15 years) of contributions.

Old-age pension is equal to 40% of the insured’s average earnings in the 10 years before retirement + 0.5% of average earnings for each three-month period of contributions exceeding 120 months. The amount of pension ranges from 66.7% to 80% of the insured person’s average earnings up to six times the legal monthly minimum wage. 

Public pensions are financed by the National Social Security Fund and employers contribute 16.57% to the fund.

Other Statutory Benefits

Family Allowances and Supplements

Family allowances are paid for children younger than age 16 (age 18 if an apprentice, age 21 if a student or the insured’s daughter provides care for her brothers and sisters, with no limit if disabled). Allowances are paid for up to three children.

Family supplements are paid to families with a non-working spouse. Nursery school fees (means-tested): Paid to working mothers with monthly earnings of less than 2.5 times the legal monthly minimum wage based on a workweek of 48 hours. The child must be aged two to 36 months. Fees are paid for up to three children.

Family allowances are financed by social security contributions.

Social Housing Promotion Fund Tax

The Social Housing Promotion Fund Tax (FOPROLOS) aims to provide housing finance for low-income groups via a 1% tax on wages paid by the employer.

 

Vocational Training Tax (TFP)

Employers pay a vocational training tax (TFP) of 2% of wages for skills development. The rate of this tax is 1% for manufacturing industrial companies.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this Country Guide is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter. The contents of this Country Guide contain general information and may not reflect current legal developments or address your situation. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included in this Country Guide without seeking the advice or representation of a licensed attorney. WorkMotion Software GmbH disclaims all liability for actions you take or fail to take based on any content included in this Country Guide.

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