SMIG and SMAG Increases: What's the Real Impact for Tunisian Employees?

Tunisia's recent salary adjustments, encompassing both the public and private sectors, represent a significant step in addressing the economic concerns of its workforce. Labor law specialist Hafedh Amouri's assessment highlights a nuanced reality: while the increases in the public sector have been met with approval for surpassing expectations, the situation in non-agricultural private enterprises is more measured. These raises, though less dramatic than in previous years, are designed to keep pace with an inflation rate hovering between 5% and 6%, a critical balancing act in the current economic climate.

“

Les récentes majorations salariales adoptées dans les secteurs public et privé semblent « acceptables » au regard des capacités économiques du pays, a estimé, vendredi, le spécialiste en droit du travail Hafedh Amouri, tout en mettant en évidence leurs limites structurelles.

Amouri's analysis underscores the structural limitations faced by many Tunisian businesses. With approximately 85% of companies employing fewer than twenty individuals, the capacity to absorb substantial wage hikes is inherently constrained. This reality shapes the negotiation and implementation of salary increases, ensuring they remain compatible with economic conditions while acknowledging the aspirations of employees.

“

Dans une déclaration à l’agence Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP), Amouri a salué les augmentations accordées dans la fonction publique, les établissements publics à caractère administratif et les collectivités locales, qui, selon lui ,« ont dépassé les attentes ».

The regulatory framework underpinning these changes, published in the Official Journal, reflects a structured approach to economic management. Decrees spanning 2026, 2027, and 2028 aim to provide a clear roadmap for state agents, local authority personnel, public enterprise employees, magistrates, and those covered by collective agreements. Furthermore, the specific adjustments to the Guaranteed Minimum Agricultural Wage (SMAG) and the Guaranteed Interprofessional Minimum Wage (SMIG) for non-agricultural sectors, along with provisions for retirement pensions, demonstrate a comprehensive effort to stabilize and support the Tunisian workforce. The inclusion of sanctions for non-compliant employers reinforces the government's commitment to enforcing these new standards.

“

À l’inverse, dans les secteurs non agricoles, les hausses sont certes moins marquées que lors des trois exercices précédents, mais elles demeurent en phase avec l’inflation, établie entre 5 et 6 %.