wellness
Tunis Expands Legal Protections for Worker Mental Health Support
Tunis workers gained expanded legal protections for mental health support last month under amendments to the labour code.
How we reported this
Amendments to Tunisia's labour code that took effect on 1 June 2026 now require employers in Tunis to provide access to confidential stress assessments and up to five paid counselling sessions per year for staff showing signs of burnout.
Economic pressures from inflation and longer working hours have pushed more residents in Greater Tunis to seek help for anxiety tied to job demands. The change aligns with rising clinic visits at public health facilities across the capital since early 2025.
Rights now in force
Under the updated rules companies with more than 20 staff must post clear notices about these entitlements on noticeboards and allow employees to request time off without disclosing medical details. Workers in the Medina and along Avenue Habib Bourguiba can file complaints through the regional labour inspectorate office if employers refuse requests.
Two established local programmes already help residents use the new rights. The Association Tunisienne de Santé Mentale runs weekly drop-in sessions at its clinic on Rue de la République where staff explain paperwork for employer-funded counselling. In La Marsa the municipal wellness centre offers group workshops on breathing techniques and boundary-setting that cost 25 dinars for a four-week series.
Evidence and next steps
A 2025 survey by the National Institute of Statistics showed 42 percent of private-sector employees in Greater Tunis reported persistent workplace stress, up from 31 percent in 2022. The same study found that companies offering formal support saw a 17 percent drop in short-term sick leave.
Staff at the Association Tunisienne de Santé Mentale recommend booking an initial assessment before the end of July to meet employer deadlines. Residents can also visit the labour inspectorate counter at the Ministry of Social Affairs building near Place de la République for free guidance on filing claims. Those seeking immediate relief can start with the free breathing classes held every Tuesday evening at the La Marsa centre.