Tunisia's Ratification of International Labor Convention: Challenges and Opportunities for Occupational Health and Safety
Tunisia's ratification of International Labor Convention No. 187 poses significant legislative and strategic challenges for the country. It is no longer acceptable to overlook the weaknesses in the occupational health and safety (OHS) system. The time has come to establish a national policy and program with clear objectives and perspectives that converge towards continuous improvement of the OHS system. A revision of the legal framework is also necessary to bring the system up to international standards.
Evaluating Professional Risks: Towards a Strengthened Legislative Framework in Tunisia
The Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (ISST) is organizing a workshop on "Evaluating Professional Risks: Towards a Strengthened Legislative Framework in Tunisia" in Tunis, under the patronage of the Minister of Social Affairs and in collaboration with the Technical Assistance and Information Exchange Instrument (TAIEX) of the European Union.
"We want to discuss mechanisms for evaluating risks as part of the national strategy for occupational health and safety. We are working to integrate a risk assessment approach into the update of national legislation and regulations," explained Mr. Houssine Baccouche, Mission Officer at the Ministry of Social Affairs and in charge of the OHS file.
A Review of the Current System
Since independence, Tunisia has established OHS structures, including the ISST, the Labor Inspection, the Occupational Medicine Inspection, and the Directorate of Professional Risk Prevention at the National Social Security Fund (CNAM), as well as a suitable legal and regulatory framework. However, with the evolution of industry and the emergence of new occupational diseases, it has become necessary to improve and update the system to meet international requirements.
Developing a National Strategy
The Ministry of Social Affairs is committed to developing a national strategy based on updating the legislative framework, developing national structures, decentralizing OHS through the creation of specialized units in each district, and ensuring OHS rights for all workers, including rural women.
Creating a Tunisian Document for Evaluating Professional Risks
The workshop aims to establish a draft Tunisian document for evaluating professional risks. "We need to develop this tool to help companies implement specific programs tailored to their needs. On the first day, we will assess the state of occupational health and safety from a legislative, structural, and preventive perspective. The second day will focus on group work to establish the first draft of the document, which will be characterized by its modern, digital version for better data collection and updating," explained Dr. Sonia Fehri, Acting Director General of the ISST.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Having ratified Conventions 155 and 187 of the International Labor Organization (ILO), Tunisia must now comply with the principles of these two international texts through the development of a national OHS policy, periodic evaluation of professional risks, and establishment of structures. However, despite the existence of a system with specific legislation, mechanisms, and an active structural platform, what is lacking is a national OHS policy and program.
Italian Experience
To gain insight into international experiences in OHS, Mr. Pio Angelico Carotenuto, representing the Italian Ministry of Labor and Social Policies, spoke about the European system for promoting occupational health and safety, taking the Italian system as an example. Italy has established the foundations of a national OHS policy conforming to international standards, based on the principles of good governance, social dialogue, and effective structural coordination, as well as an anticipatory approach to preventing and minimizing professional risks.
Opportunities and Challenges
Despite the significant challenges and shortcomings in Tunisia's OHS system, there are notable opportunities to be seized and positive aspects to be reinforced. The fight against social disparities and investment agreements signed to improve working conditions and generalize the principle of decent work open the way for alignment with international standards, as inscribed in Conventions 155 and 187.
