Economist and Academic Moez Soussi Calls for a Deep Overhaul of Tunisia’s Social‑Protection System
In a statement given on 3 March 2026, the Tunisian economist stresses the urgent need for structural reforms to guarantee the sustainability of the country’s social‑security funds, while denouncing the inefficiency of the temporary solutions adopted so far.
Key Proposals
-
Unify the National Retirement and Social‑Providence Fund (CNRPS) with the National Social‑Security Fund (CNSS).
- Maintaining two separate regimes with unequal benefits creates a break in equity among contributors.
- The gap between a “more generous” scheme and a “less advantageous” one weakens social cohesion.
- Soussi advocates for a single, fairer system that treats all insured persons equally.
-
Critique of recent finance‑law measures.
- He labels these measures as partial responses that have only added administrative and financial complexity to the funds.
- They fail to address the underlying structural imbalances.
Recommendations for Viability
- Identify stable financial sources to fund the unified system.
- Strengthen fiscal and social justice, ensuring contributions are proportionate and transparent.
- Mobilize all stakeholders—government, employers, unions, and civil society—around a durable reform project.
Why a Global, Transparent Approach Matters
Soussi emphasizes that a comprehensive, transparent strategy is essential to:
- Restore citizens’ confidence in the social‑protection architecture.
- Secure the future of Tunisia’s social‑security net.
By tackling the root causes of inequity and inefficiency, the proposed overhaul aims to reinforce social cohesion and ensure long‑term sustainability of Tunisia’s social‑protection system.
