On October 5, 2026, Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed chaired a meeting at the Carthage Palace to discuss the implementation of Law 18 of 2025, which concerns the exceptional recruitment of unemployed higher education graduates. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri and Minister of Employment and Vocational Training Riadh Chaoued. According to the Presidency, discussions focused on the progress made in implementing the law's provisions, which include recruitment in the public sector and civil service.
During the meeting, President Saïed addressed the reasons behind the prolonged unemployment of some higher education graduates. He cited cases of recruitment based on falsified diplomas or favoritism, rather than qualifications. Saïed also denounced recruitment practices that prioritized personal connections over merit. He emphasized that the current unemployed graduates are not in this situation by choice, but due to past practices that unfairly denied some candidates their rights.
Law 18 of 2025 establishes exceptional measures to recruit long-term unemployed higher education graduates in the public sector. The law provides for a digital platform to register and classify candidates based on set criteria. Recruitment will be done in phases over a maximum period of three years. The October 5 meeting reviewed progress on this process, but the Presidency's statement did not provide a detailed schedule for the next steps.
President Saïed reaffirmed that the government would respect its commitments and continue implementing the law's provisions. This meeting comes as unemployed graduates, mobilized in the "March of Dignity," continue their movement to demand the law's implementation. The march, which started in Menzel Bouzaiane, aims to push for the recruitment of long-term unemployed graduates.
The "March of Dignity" has been ongoing, with participants demanding that the government implement Law 18. The law aims to address the issue of prolonged unemployment among higher education graduates. According to the Presidency, the government is committed to finding solutions to this problem.
President Saïed's emphasis on merit-based recruitment and equal opportunities reflects the government's efforts to reform the employment sector. The implementation of Law 18 is seen as a key step in addressing the issue of unemployment among graduates. The government has promised to prioritize transparency and fairness in the recruitment process.
The meeting at the Carthage Palace demonstrates the government's commitment to monitoring the implementation of Law 18. With the continued mobilization of unemployed graduates, the government faces pressure to deliver on its promises. The success of Law 18 in addressing unemployment among graduates remains to be seen.
Key points
- President Kaïs Saïed reviews implementation of Law 18 to recruit unemployed graduates in the public sector.
- Law 18 aims to address prolonged unemployment among higher education graduates through merit-based recruitment.
- The implementation of Law 18 is being closely watched by unemployed graduates, who continue to mobilize for its enforcement.
