Tunisia's Shoe Industry in Crisis
The Tunisian shoe industry, recognized for decades by the world's largest brands for its expertise, is going through a deep crisis. Wajdi Dhouib, president of the National Chamber of Leather and Shoe Artisans, sounds the alarm: the sector is suffocating under the weight of unfair competition that escapes all taxation.
Speaking on Diwan FM, Mr. Dhouib recalled that Tunisia has been one of the world's leading shoe manufacturers since the 1980s. The intrinsic quality of Tunisian products remains undeniable: the most prestigious brands on the planet continue to rely on local production. The president of the Chamber dismisses any contrary perception and affirms with conviction that Tunisian shoes have all the capabilities to rival the most renowned brands.
However, this industrial heritage is facing an "impossible equation" generated by fraudulent practices that are undermining the market. Mr. Dhouib points to three major flaws:
- Some importers pay derisory customs duties.
- Shoes cross borders without paying any taxes.
- Second-hand items flood the Tunisian market under the same conditions of fiscal opacity.
This widespread tax evasion on illegal imports puts national producers in a deadlock. Deprived of a level playing field, Tunisian shoes find themselves without commercial outlets in the face of deeply distorted competition.
Recording Conversations Without Consent: Up to 5 Years in Prison and 500,000 Dinars Fine
Recording or filming individuals without their prior consent is an offense under Tunisian legislation on the protection of private life, punishable by criminal penalties. Lawyer Anis Zine, a lawyer at the Court of Cassation, detailed the legal framework applicable to unauthorized recording of conversations on Diwan FM on November 2, 2025.
Tunisian legislation provides for criminal penalties for this type of offense. Prison sentences can reach up to five years. Financial penalties are added to the prison sentences. The fines provided for this offense can reach up to 500,000 dinars. The lawyer also mentioned the existence of complementary penalties in the applicable legal arsenal.
According to the lawyer's explanations, any recording of images or voices requires prior authorization from the person concerned. The absence of consent makes the act illegal. The speaker explained that the law aims to protect people who may be in a vulnerable situation during a conversation.
The offense is characterized when the recording is followed by exploitation of the captured words. The publication or subsequent use of these recordings, regardless of their content, constitutes an aggravating circumstance under the legislation on the protection of private life and individual freedoms.
