On October 5, 2026, Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed held a meeting at the Carthage Palace with Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri and Labor Minister Riadh Chaouad. The discussion focused on the implementation of Law No. 18 of 2025, which provides for the exceptional recruitment of long-term unemployed university graduates in the public sector and civil service. This law, promulgated on December 22, 2025, aims to recruit eligible graduates through a digital platform based on specific criteria such as age, diploma seniority, and social situation.
The new law plans for the recruitment of eligible graduates in batches over a period not exceeding three years from its promulgation. President Saïed emphasized that the accumulation of unemployment situations over the decades was partly due to irregularities in recruitment processes, including the use of falsified diplomas and unfair preferential treatments. He criticized practices where affiliation to certain parties was considered a sufficient qualification for securing a job, highlighting the need for a more transparent and merit-based system.
During the meeting, President Saïed expressed his conviction that today's unemployed individuals were not jobless by choice but were deprived of employment opportunities due to widespread malpractices and the misuse of public funds. He argued that these unfair practices denied some individuals their rightful jobs in favor of others who did not deserve them. The President called for a shift towards a culture of hard work, sincerity, and loyalty, urging an end to polemics and political maneuvering.
President Saïed reassured that despite existing challenges and obstacles, the Tunisian people would achieve their goals, and the government would honor its commitments. He emphasized the importance of moving forward with the implementation of the new recruitment law to address the issue of unemployment among university graduates. The law is seen as a step towards more equitable and transparent recruitment processes in the public sector.
The implementation of Law No. 18 of 2025 is expected to provide employment opportunities for thousands of long-term unemployed university graduates. The digital platform for recruitment aims to ensure a fair and transparent selection process based on predefined criteria. This approach is intended to prevent the irregularities that have marred past recruitment processes and to ensure that jobs are allocated based on merit and qualification.
President Saïed's emphasis on the need for a merit-based recruitment system reflects a broader effort to reform public administration and promote fairness and transparency in government hiring practices. By tackling the root causes of unemployment and addressing issues of inequality and unfairness, the Tunisian government aims to create a more just and equitable society.
The Tunisian government's efforts to reform the recruitment process and address unemployment are seen as crucial steps towards achieving social and economic stability. The success of these initiatives will depend on their effective implementation and the government's ability to address the complex challenges facing the country.
Key points
- President Saïed emphasizes the need for a merit-based recruitment system to address unemployment.
- Tunisia implements new law to recruit long-term unemployed university graduates.
- President Saïed calls for an end to polemics and a culture of hard work and sincerity.
