In a statement, the National Chamber of Hazardous Materials Transport and the National Transport Federation, affiliated with the Tunisian Industrial and Commercial Confederation (UTICA), announced that fuel transport companies will maintain their activities on September 23-24. This decision comes despite a planned strike in the sector, with the goal of ensuring a steady fuel supply to service stations and minimizing disruptions for citizens and the economy.
The National Chamber of Hazardous Materials Transport emphasized that companies in the sector comply with legal obligations regarding social coverage, worker registration, and occupational safety. The chamber noted that two companies had faced financial difficulties, resulting in delayed payment of contributions to the National Social Security Fund (CNSS), but these issues have since been resolved.
Disputes over social coverage and salary agreements are at the heart of the planned strike. The employers' organization believes these issues do not justify a strike that could disrupt market supply and citizens' mobility. The chamber disputes the validity of a May 2, 2019, agreement, which it claims has been annulled and superseded by general agreements on salary increases for the 2022-2024 period.
According to the chamber, fuel transport companies have implemented the required salary increases for 2018-2019, 2022-2024, and those stipulated by presidential decrees on April 30, 2026, for the 2026-2028 period. The organization also stated that revisions to transport tariffs, decided by the state as part of a geographic adjustment mechanism, have been fully allocated to financing salary increases and rising fuel costs.
Despite this, the chamber considers these revisions insufficient to cover operating costs and sector demands. From a legal standpoint, the employers' organization claims it has not received a strike notice that complies with the provisions of Article 376 and subsequent articles of the Labor Code, rendering any work stoppage or truck traffic blockade illegal.
This position comes as the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT) confirmed on September 21 that it would maintain the planned strike on September 23-24, 2026, pending a conciliation session to be convened by the Ministry of Social Affairs. The union asserts that several issues remain unresolved, particularly the implementation of commitments linked to the May 2019 agreement.
At this stage, oil distribution companies, transporters, and service stations claim to be mobilized to ensure a continuous fuel supply during the two announced days. The chamber ensures that social dialogue continues within companies to find solutions.
Key points
- Fuel transport companies in Tunisia will maintain operations on September 23-24 despite a planned strike.
- The strike is over disputes on social coverage and salary agreements.
- The employers' organization considers the strike unjustified and potentially illegal.
