98% of digital platform workers in Tunisia lack social protection, UGTT study reveals
via Business News3 min read
A study by the Tunisian General Labor Union UGTT highlights the precarious conditions of digital platform workers in Tunisia, a sector experiencing rapid growth but largely unregulated. The study, presented on June 29, 2026, found that approximately 60,000 people are engaged in this expanding economic model, which includes meal delivery, ride-sharing, and home services, yet operates outside structured contractual frameworks. Researchers surveyed 121 workers and discovered that nearly 98% lack social security coverage or insurance for work-related accidents. The majority work without formal contracts and are often unaware of the true identity of the platforms they serve, leading to extreme dependence and the risk of arbitrary account deactivation. About 75% of respondents reported unstable incomes, impacting their financial stability. The workforce is predominantly male 85% and often has a primary or secondary education level 90%, with ages ranging from 28 to 65, indicating a significant presence of permanent workers rather than just temporary youth. The UGTT describes this as a "parallel economy within the parallel economy" due to the near-total absence of regulation, professional representation, and adequate social protection mechanisms. The lack of regulation also raises concerns about public safety and consumer protection, as workers may unknowingly transport illicit goods or enter private homes without clear oversight. The UGTT calls for urgent government intervention to
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The Ministry of Youth and Sports announced on Monday, June 29, 2026, the appointment of Ridha Jeddi as the national technical director for the Tunisian Football Federation FTF. This decision aligns with Decree No. 552 of 1977, which mandates the appointment of national technical directors by the Minister of Youth and Sports to represent the ministry's technical interests within sports federations. The ministry stated that this appointment follows recommendations from the consultative commission overseeing technical aspects in sports, which met on June 23, 2026, to review proposals for national technical directors across various federations. Additionally, the ministry announced Nidhal Abdelkarim's appointment as national technical director for the Tunisian Basketball Federation, Bassem Fourati's retention in the same role for the Tunisian Volleyball Federation, and Brahim Agrebi's appointment for the Tunisian Handball Federation.
Must ReadThe World Health Organization WHO announced that the heatwave affecting Europe since June 21 has been linked to over 1,300 deaths. The organization also cautioned that the situation could worsen as several countries continue to experience exceptionally high temperatures. On Sunday, June 28, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on X that over 150 million people are currently exposed to extreme heat across the continent. He reiterated that Europe is the fastest-warming region globally, with temperatures rising approximately twice the world average. The WHO emphasized that extreme heat episodes are among the deadliest climate risks, with vulnerable populations including the elderly, infants, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses, and outdoor workers being particularly exposed. The organization urged authorities to strengthen preventive measures, such as increasing health alerts, protecting vulnerable groups, and adapting healthcare systems to handle more frequent heatwaves. The heatwave is impacting much of Western and Central Europe, with France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, and the Balkans experiencing temperatures locally exceeding 40 掳C, leading to significant consequences for health services, transportation, and fire risks. In France, authorities placed several departments on maximum alert, closed schools, and reinforced hospital capacities to manage the influx of patients with heat-related conditions. The WHO attributes these extreme even
The financial situation of the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company STEG is under scrutiny in Parliament following the approval of new financing commitments. The Finance and Budget Committee of the Assembly of People's Representatives approved two draft laws on June 29, 2026, related to state guarantees for loans from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development IBRD, totaling approximately 1.4 billion dinars. These funds are part of a 2024-2028 program contract between the Tunisian state and STEG. Issam Chouchen, a Member of Parliament and member of the Finance Committee, highlighted STEG's difficult financial spiral, characterized by repeated borrowing without sustainable structural improvement. He stated that STEG's total debt exceeds 7 billion dinars, while unpaid customer debts from individuals, businesses, and public institutions are over 6 billion dinars, putting continuous pressure on the company's cash flow. Chouchen believes that at least 12 billion dinars would be needed to restore STEG's financial balance. He noted that Parliament has approved several STEG financings in recent years without resolving structural imbalances, citing the slow progress of the Tunisia-Italy electrical interconnection project. Chouchen emphasized that STEG's core problem lies not just in financing but in internal governance and structural dysfunctions, including electricity theft, which he estimates affects entire neighborhoods and significantly contributes to network losses