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Tunisia Implements 20% Wage Hike for Textile Workers in 2024-2026

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Published: Thursday, 25 January 2024 19:28

Tunisia has announced a significant 20% wage increase for textile workers, to be distributed over the span of 2024, 2025, and 2026. This development follows an agreement signed between the IndustriALL Global Union affiliate Fédération Générale du Textile, de l'Habillement, Chaussure et Cuir (FGTHCC-UGTT) and the employers’ organization Fédération Nationale du Textile (FENATEX-UTICA).

Negotiations leading to the agreement were facilitated by the general labor inspection headquarters and supervised by Tunisia’s Ministry of Social Affairs. The agreement outlines a wage hike of 6.5% for both 2024 and 2025, followed by a 7% increase in 2026. Additionally, a seniority bonus of 1% for every second year of service was announced.

Among the key revisions in the agreement is the amendment of chapters pertaining to promotions in the joint sectoral textile agreement. These revisions ensure the maintenance of consistent promotion grades, ensuring upward career paths for workers, as highlighted in a press release by IndustriALL.

Habib Al-Hazami, the General Secretary of FGTHCC-UGTT, emphasized the significance of the wage increase in restoring the purchasing power of textile workers in Tunisia. Atle Hoie, the General Secretary of IndustriALL, hailed the agreement as a crucial union victory, particularly considering the economic challenges faced by Tunisia. He commended the relentless efforts of FGTHCC-UGTT in organizing and enhancing sectorial social dialogue, which led to this positive outcome.

The wage hike announcement is expected to positively impact the livelihoods of textile workers in Tunisia and contribute to the overall improvement of the labor sector in the country.