Towards a consolidation of the legal framework governing the organization of the intermediation and placement sector for Tunisian workers abroad

Tunisia (ILO News) – The Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training, with the support of the ILO’s FAIR and then THAMM projects, has for several years been engaged in regulating the intermediation sector and organizing private placement agencies operating abroad, with the aim of aligning more closely with international labour standards and the principles of fair recruitment.

On 15 April 2025 in Tunis, and in continuation of the efforts already undertaken, the THAMM Plus project, implemented by the International Labour Organization and funded by the European Union, organized, in collaboration with the Ministry, a workshop to present and discuss a new draft law governing the activity of private placement agencies for Tunisians seeking employment abroad.

© ILO

© ILO

This event brought together around forty representatives from government institutions and was marked by the presence of Mr. Riadh Chaoued, Minister of Employment and Vocational Training, who reaffirmed the State’s commitment to strengthening the national legal framework for regulating the intermediation sector and improving the protection of Tunisian jobseekers’ rights abroad. He also announced that the consolidated version of this new legal framework would be submitted to a ministerial council for approval in the coming weeks, before being forwarded to Parliament.

Developed through a participatory and tripartite approach, the proposed law aims to reduce the risks of exploitation, human trafficking, and forced labour. It is based on the principles of fair recruitment and international labour standards, in particular ILO Convention No. 181 on Private Employment Agencies (1997).

Once adopted, this law will address the current legal gaps and shortcomings related to the activities of private employment agencies placing Tunisians abroad. It will strengthen the protection of jobseekers’ rights at the international level and introduce criminal sanctions to combat unfair competition from agencies operating informally.