Tunisia – New Investment Law Eases Conditions on Hiring Foreign Workers
Tunisia – New Investment Law Eases Conditions
This GMS Flash Alert reports on a new Tunisian Investment Law containing provisions that make it easier for qualifying investors and businesses to hire foreign workers from 1 January 2017.
The Tunisian Chamber of Representatives approved, on 17 September 2016, a new Investment Law aimed at attracting foreign investment and stimulating the economy.1 The law features provisions that make it easier for qualifying investors and businesses to hire foreign workers. The Investment Law will take effect from 1 January 2017.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Under the current Labour Code there are restrictions on the hiring of or bringing in of foreign workers in Tunisia. However, the new rules for qualifying foreign investors and businesses will reduce some of the red tape involved with hiring foreign workers in Tunisia or bringing them to Tunisia. They will also help expand the opportunities, in Tunisia, for hiring more foreign workers or assigning more foreign workers to the country. The new law is expected to enhance business expansion and market opportunities for businesses in Tunisia.
Key Changes
Previous treatment (until 1/1/2017) |
New treatment (from 1/1/2017) |
|---|---|
1. The Investment Incentive Code caps the recruitment of foreigners to four managing1. The Investment Incentive Code caps the recruitment of foreigners to four managing staff employees. The incentive is only available to wholly exporting companies. |
Investors will be allowed to recruit foreign managing staff up to:
|
2. Beyond the cap, the hiring of foreigners is subject to restrictive conditions, under the Labour Law, including:
|
Beyond the cap, the hiring of foreigners remains subject to the prior approval of the Labour Ministry. |
KPMG NOTE
There are still some important aspects of the Investment Law that remain unclear, and these need to be addressed in the implementing regulations, the applicable income tax rate for foreign workers being just one example.
It should be noted that foreign workers hired under the previous Investment Code (that continues to apply until 1 January 2017) have been subject to an advantageous income tax rate of 20 percent on their gross remuneration; however, this advantageous tax rate has not been confirmed under the new law.
FOOTNOTE
1 See the Investment Law 2016: Law n° 71-2016 dated 30th September 2016.
CONTACTS
For additional information or assistance, please contact your local GMS or People Services professional* or one of the following professionals with the KPMG International member firm in Tunisia:
Dhia Bouzayen
Partner
Tel. + 216 71 194 344
Narjes Laouiti
Manager
Tel. + 216 71 194 344
* Please note that KPMG LLP (U.S.) does not offer labor law or immigration services.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Tunisia.
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