Tunisia Live (Tunis)
Emna Belgasmi
26 November 2011
Heads of foreign and Tunisian companies, as well as representatives of various multinational chambers of commerce, shared economic and social issues they are facing at a meeting on November 24th, 2011 to UTICA (Tunisian Union for Industry, Commerce, and Handicrafts).
UTICA is the organization representing Tunisian employers in the industrial, commercial, service and craftsmanship sectors. It is organized through regional unions in all governorates of Tunisia and through its varying trade associations.
One after another, representatives from foreign corporations spoke up about the frustrations they are facing in their own companies: strikes, lack of motivation, and safety issues. Most agree that the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT) has been causing too many social disturbances, and asked to be protected from their ‘abusive power.’ Ms. Namoussi, head of LUTEX, a Tunisian-Danish clothing company, asks UTICA “to be the opposition.” Ms. Ossenbrink from the Tunisian-German Chamber of Commerce says that “UTICA has to be more active in helping foreign companies succeed.”
In response, Wided Bouchamaoui, President of UTICA, declared that “UTICA’s doors are open,” and as such, they are launching an online social platform to create a better dialogue between UTICA and businesspeople operating in Tunisia. A local business person emphasized the point that because of certain implemented legislation, it is near impossible to fire an employee even he does not work productively and cheekily remarked that, “It less expensive to divorce a woman than to fire an employee,” and asked UTICA for help. Today, UTICA’s challenge is to prove that it will work closely with foreign companies and that they will protect employers.
AllAfrica – All the Time