The Tunisian National Chamber of Transport of Hazardous Materials and the National Federation of Transport, affiliated with the Tunisian Union of Industry, Commerce, and Handicrafts (UTICA), have announced that fuel distribution companies, fuel transport companies, and service stations are mobilizing to guarantee the supply of the market and continue their activities normally on September 23-24.
In a statement released on Monday, the employers' structures reacted to the planned strike by fuel transporters, stating that the transport companies had not received any legal strike notice in accordance with the provisions of Article 376 and subsequent articles of the Labor Code. As a result, any work stoppage or obstruction to the circulation of tanker trucks is considered an illegal action.
The employers' structures also addressed the reasons cited to justify the strike, stating that the sector's companies respect social coverage laws and guarantee professional security according to international standards. They added that the financial difficulties that led to delays in contributions to the Social Security Fund only affected two companies, and that this situation has been fully regularized.
Regarding wages, the demand for the application of the minutes of the meeting of May 2, 2019, is considered unjustified by the two structures, as this text was canceled over seven years ago. The employers' structures confirmed that the sector's companies are committed to paying the agreed-upon legal increases for the periods 2018-2019 and 2022-2024, as well as applying the increases decided by presidential decree on April 30, 2026, for the period 2026-2028.
The employers' structures also specified that the totality of the tariff adjustments granted by the State has been reinjected to finance wage increases, but that these adjustments remain insufficient to cover the costs and demands of the sector. They also assured that social dialogue at the company level remains open to overcome any difficulties that may arise.
The department of the private sector, affiliated with the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT), had issued a strike notice in the hydrocarbon transport sector on August 27, for September 23-24. The employers' structures have called on the transport companies to respect the legal framework and avoid any action that could harm the normal functioning of the sector.
The situation highlights the ongoing social tensions in Tunisia, particularly in the transport sector, where workers are demanding better wages and working conditions. The government's efforts to balance the needs of the sector with the demands of the workers will be crucial in avoiding further disruptions to the economy.
Key points
- The Tunisian employers' structures have mobilized to ensure a steady supply of fuel to the market, despite a planned strike by transporters on September 23-24.
- The transport companies had not received any legal strike notice, and any work stoppage or obstruction to the circulation of tanker trucks is considered an illegal action.
- The sector's companies respect social coverage laws and guarantee professional security according to international standards.
