The National Chamber of Hazardous Materials Transport and the National Transport Union, affiliated with the Tunisian Union of Industry, Commerce and Traditional Industries, have issued a statement regarding the strike by fuel transport drivers. The statement clarifies that fuel transport companies have not received any legal strike notice, as per the provisions of Article 376 and subsequent articles of the Labor Code.
The Chamber and the Union consider any work stoppage or disruption to truck traffic as an illegal action. They emphasized that fuel distribution companies, fuel transport companies, and fuel sales stations are committed to supplying stations with the necessary quantities and continuing their activities on September 23 and 24.
According to the statement, social dialogue between companies and their employees has not been interrupted at the institutional level to address any difficulties that may arise. The institutions in the sector respect existing laws in the field of social coverage, declare their employees, and provide them with occupational safety in accordance with international standards.
The Chamber and the Union pointed out that only two institutions in the sector faced financial difficulties, leading to delays in paying contributions to the Social Security Fund, which does not justify the implementation of a strike that targets the supply of the market, disrupts citizens' movement, and affects economic activity.
A settlement has been reached with the Social Security Fund for the two institutions, and the statement noted that the demand to activate the minutes of the May 2, 2019 session is not justified, as it was withdrawn and canceled more than seven years ago due to non-compliance by drivers and unions, as well as its override by the general agreement for the 2022-2024 wage increase.
The sector's companies have committed to paying the agreed-upon legal increases for the years 2018-2019 and the three-year increase program for the period 2022-2024, as well as the increases specified by the presidential decrees on April 30, 2026, which concern the period 2026-2028. All revisions approved by the State in transport tariffs, through the geographic adjustment mechanism, have been directed to finance wage increases and fuel.
The National Chamber of Hazardous Materials Transport and the National Transport Union have urged drivers to refrain from any actions that may disrupt the sector's activities and affect the country's economy.
Key points
- Fuel transport companies in Tunisia have not received a legal strike notice from drivers.
- The sector's companies have committed to paying agreed-upon wage increases for 2018-2019 and 2022-2024.
- Only two institutions in the sector faced financial difficulties, leading to delays in paying contributions to the Social Security Fund.
