Improving occupational safety and health in the construction sector in Tunisia through the conclusion of a sectoral agreement
In many countries, workers in the construction sector are facing difficult working conditions: They often work long hours, earn low wages and work in precarious and dangerous conditions. Safety on construction sites remains a major concern as standards are not always respected and personal protective equipment is not always provided or used correctly. As a consequence, workplace accidents are relatively frequent. In Tunisia, this situation is exacerbated by external factors such as the increasing impact of climate change, including heat stress and extreme weather events, air pollution, vector-borne diseases and the use of chemicals. A structural transformation of the sector becomes urgent to adapt to these challenges, mitigate risks, strengthen resilience and protect workers.
In Tunisia, a high rate of informality in the construction sector, exceeding 68% according to figures from the National Statistical Institute (INS) in 2019, is one of the factors explaining poor working conditions in the sector (Institut National des Statistiques (INS), 2019). Informality poses challenges in terms of social protection, access to vocational training, unionisation rates (which is 38.1% on average in Tunisia, but lower in the construction sector, estimated at 9.8%) and labour inspection. Other challenges the sector is confronted to include limited investments to support technological advancements, especially to enhance a just transition, as well as deficiencies in the vocational training system. In addition, the sector is affected by moderate economic growth (with growth at a rate of 1% over one year in the second quarter of 2024) (Institut National des Statistiques, 2024), the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and political instability (World Bank, 2022).
Social partners in Tunisia addressed these challenges through the conclusion of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in May 2023, thereby recognising that the sector represents an important engine for Tunisia’s socio-economic recovery. The Fédération Nationale des Entreprises de Bâtiment et des Travaux Publics (FNEBTP) - under the auspices of the Union Tunisienne de l'Industrie, du Commerce et de l'Artisanat (UTICA) - and the Fédération Générale du Bâtiment et du Bois (FGBB) - under the auspices of the Union Générale Tunisienne du Travail (UGTT) - signed the memorandum as an amendment to the sectoral collective agreement for the construction sector (2022-2024) (ILO, 2022). According to the workers' representatives, this agreement is an example to be followed and could serve as a model for other sectors. This memorandum was preceded by a meeting of sectoral social partners in January 2023, where they defined priority areas of the future agreement, including occupational safety and health (OSH), improving productivity and employability in the sector, the development of a sectoral pact, as well as a communication strategy to enhance the attractiveness of the sector (ILO, 2023).
The aim of the MoU is to improve working conditions in the sector by focusing on five areas:
- OSH: Setting up an action plan to strengthen OSH monitoring mechanisms in companies; organising training sessions for regional chambers of construction to raise awareness among workers, especially those working in the informal sector; organising awareness raising sessions on OSH, with a focus on the impact of climate change.
- Strengthening the legislative framework: Carrying out assessments targeting companies and main actors in the sector (architects, engineers, consultant companies) and mapping legal texts to revise the legal framework and update the decree regulating public contracts.
- The future of work in the construction sector: Carrying out studies on emerging occupations in the sector, given technological changes, the net-zero transition, including the transition to renewable energies and the need for climate change adaptation, mitigation and resilience.
- Sectoral pact: Elaborating a sectoral part to support the development of the construction sector and develop its quality standards.
- Communication: Developing a communication strategy for the construction sector aimed at improving its image and making it more attractive, particularly to young people and women.
To implement the MoU, several awareness raising activities were conducted, with a focus on OSH. On the occasion of World OSH Day (28 April) awareness raising campaigns were organised (with the support of the ILO) in the governorates of Sfax in south-east Tunisia in 2023, and in Sousse in the centre-east of the country in 2024. These campaigns have succeeded in raising awareness among workers and employers, especially on the importance of preventing workplace accidents and occupational illnesses and putting in place protective measures to adapt to the impact of climate change, particularly heat stress. In a similar vein, events were carried out in 2023 in a number of private sector companies to highlight the added value of social dialogue and of company QHSE strategies (Quality, Health, Safety and Environment), as well as the necessity of a just transition. All the campaigns were marked by a high level of participation: in addition to workers, employers and senior company managers, high-level representatives from social partners (UGTT and UTICA), the National Health Insurance Fund, the Institute of Health and Safety at Work, the General Directorate of Medical Inspection and Safety at Work of the Ministry of Social Affairs, as well as technical experts and doctors were present. At the same time, exemplary enterprises and workers received awards in recognition of their efforts.
Social partners in the construction sector in Tunisia have not only paid attention to occupational safety and health. They have also participated in negotiations to overcome social tensions linked to demands for wage increases, and to reach important agreements for the granting of financial bonuses to workers in the sector. In October 2022, UGTT and UTICA signed an agreement resulting in wage increases of between 6.5% and 6.75% for the years 2022 - 2023 - 2024, which restored the purchasing power of workers heavily affected by the pandemic. Significant progress has also been achieved through social dialogue at enterprise level.
Key Lessons
Social partners play an important role in improving working conditions and protecting construction workers. The memorandum of understanding represents a major step forward.
The process leading to the conclusion of a collective agreement is often long and requires regular meetings and a firm commitment on the part of the social partners.
In Tunisia, the inclusion of occupational safety and health in the MoU between FGBB and FNEBTP represents a major achievement.
To implement the MoU between FGBB and FNEBTP, it has been important to support implementation on the ground, for example through campaigns and awareness-raising events.
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