🇹🇳TunisiaNorth Africa
Tunisian beaches face severe plastic pollution, annual cleanup expands
via Business News2 min read
Nabil Mokhtar, head of the mechanical beach cleaning program, reported on June 2, 2026, on the alarming state of Tunisia's coastline and announced the expansion of the annual sanitation campaign. The operation now covers 152 beaches along approximately 180 kilometers of coastline, up from 139 beaches previously. Nearly 6,500 hectares are included in this campaign, which typically runs until the end of summer, sometimes extending to October. Mokhtar noted the mobilization of human and logistical resources despite the scarcity of specialized companies. During the previous campaign, about 13,000 cubic meters of waste were collected, 85% of which was plastic, equating to over 11,000 cubic meters of plastic materials. He compared this volume to about 4.4 Olympic swimming pools filled with plastic or more than 550 large dump trucks. This accumulation is primarily attributed to irresponsible individual behaviors, such as discarding bags, bottles, and packaging directly into nature or the sea. Mokhtar highlighted the long degradation times for plastics in the marine environment: plastic bags can take 100 to 500 years, and some plastic bottles up to 450 years. Even after degradation, these materials turn into micro-particles that contaminate water, soil, air, and the food chain. He also mentioned polystyrene, which can persist for thousands of years. These invisible microplastics end up in fish, food, and drinking water, posing an indirect but lasting health threat. Mokhtar emphasized
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Business News.
The General Federation of Banks, Financial Institutions, and Insurance Companies announced on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, a general strike scheduled for June 23, 24, and 25. This decision, communicated by the Federation's Secretary General, Sami Salhi, during a press conference, aims to address ongoing social negotiations and demand an immediate resumption of social dialogue and an agreement on 2025 salary increases. The Federation attributes this mobilization to what it describes as a unilateral breakdown of negotiations by the Banking and Financial Council and the Tunisian Federation of Insurance Companies. They argue that this suspension violates legal provisions and commitments outlined in the current sectoral agreement. The union also highlighted the lack of consensus on salary revaluations for employees in banks, insurance, and financial institutions, which it believes is fueling increasing social tension. The sector previously experienced a two-day general strike in November 2025 following the failure of salary negotiations between union organizations and employer representatives. Despite subsequent attempts to restart discussions, no lasting consensual solution has been found. Union organizations state that the latest proposals from employers, offering monthly increases between 70 and 100 dinars, fall significantly short of employee expectations, especially given the strong performance of the banking sector in recent years. According to the unions, 2025 financial data furt
Former MP Majdi Karbai announced on June 2, 2026, via Facebook, that the Italian Parliament has approved a new mission for the Guardia di Finanza in Tunisia. This mission aims to enhance cooperation with the Tunisian National Maritime Guard. According to Italian parliamentary documents cited by Karbai, the initiative involves technical assistance, training, and logistical support for Tunisian units responsible for maritime surveillance and border management. The deployment could include up to 22 Italian Guardia di Finanza agents and material and technical resources in Tunis and Sfax. The total cost is estimated at 8.83 million euros, funded by the Italian state budget. Karbai stated that this mission extends existing migratory cooperation between the two countries, building on an exchange of verbal notes in December 2025 and a 2017 memorandum of understanding on migration. He highlighted that while Italian institutions have publicized details of this mission, no official detailed communication has been made in Tunisia. Karbai noted that Tunisian citizens are learning about this mission through documents published in Rome, raising questions about transparency in security cooperation agreements with European partners. He compared Italian and Tunisian procedures, pointing out that Italian external missions undergo parliamentary review and official publication, allowing public access to information on their funding and objectives. Karbai suggested this situation reignites debate
The Confederation of Citizen Enterprises of Tunisia Conect is actively proposing reforms to the Exchange Code, aiming to modernize a regulatory framework it deems outdated. Sultan Jebeniani, a member of Conect's national executive board, stated on June 2, 2026, that the reform is a strategic opportunity to enhance Tunisia's attractiveness for foreign investment. Conect has submitted 41 proposals, including 38 amendments and three new measures. Key proposals include introducing a principle where administrative silence within a set timeframe implies tacit approval, which Conect believes will reduce administrative burdens. Another major suggestion is to establish a mechanism for regular evaluation of the Exchange Code to prevent obsolescence, with performance indicators to measure effectiveness and adjust provisions based on macroeconomic changes and foreign currency reserves. Conect also recommends creating a single digital portal for exchange operations to simplify investor procedures and establishing a specialized consultative commission on exchange matters, involving the Central Bank of Tunisia, to ensure better consultation with economic actors. Conect's experts project that an ambitious reform could boost GDP growth by 0.8 to 1.5 points. The organization emphasizes the need for timely publication of implementing circulars and texts, citing delays in the 2026 finance law as a concern. Conect also believes the reform must address global economic shifts, particularly the digi
Must ReadFollowing the visit of Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization WHO, to the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC, social media has been rife with speculation, with some users drawing parallels to the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. In Tunisia, comments suggested the visit was an "alarm signal" or an "implicit admission" that Ebola was out of control. However, fact-checking reveals that the Director-General's visit is a standard part of WHO's mission in health emergencies, aimed at assessing the response, mobilizing international support, and strengthening local capacity. Official data indicates a concerning situation but does not suggest a complete collapse of health systems. The WHO reported 906 suspected Ebola cases, with 223 suspected deaths under investigation. The Congolese government confirmed 282 laboratory-confirmed cases, including 42 deaths. The majority of confirmed cases were in Ituri province 264 infections, with North Kivu and South Kivu reporting 15 and 3 cases, respectively. The WHO acknowledges the complexity of fighting the epidemic, citing difficulties in rapid identification of infected individuals, contact tracing, and safe burials. These challenges are exacerbated by persistent insecurity in conflict-affected regions. Despite this, Dr. Ghebreyesus highlighted encouraging signs, such as certified recoveries, and emphasized the importance of strengthening testing, treatment, and community trust in health workers.