In a context where legislative progress does not seem sufficient to guarantee the safety of agricultural women in Tunisia, it is urgent to address the persistent problems in transport. Despite a law put in place in 2019 to regulate the transport of these workers, fatal accidents continue to increase.
Indeed, according to a study carried out by the Forum for Economic and Social Rights, agricultural women represent nearly 80% of the sector’s workforce, and they go to their workplace crowded together, 20 or 30 people in groups. pickups. This mode of transport is extremely dangerous, as evidenced by the alarming figures: between 2015 and 2023, 55 women lost their lives and 796 were injured in road accidents.
It is regrettable to note that despite the measures taken, agricultural women continue to risk their lives every day to return to their work. Working conditions are already very harsh, with miserable wages and grueling days, and transport represents an additional danger they face. Dilapidated roads, overloaded pickup trucks and evasive maneuvers from police make it impossible to enforce the law governing the transport of agricultural women.
These rural workers are well aware of the risks they take. They express their frustration with this unbearable situation: “When I leave my house, I don’t know if I will return alive in the evening,” declares a farm worker. Despite the successive tragedies, the observation is bitter: no significant change has been observed since the accidents that occurred in Sidi Bouzid in 2019.
In addition to transport problems, agricultural women face other difficulties, including precarious working conditions. They carry out back-breaking tasks, such as picking olives, without protective gloves. In addition, they are often paid less than men for equivalent work and they very rarely benefit from social security coverage.
Faced with this alarming reality, it is crucial to completely review the work system for agricultural women in Tunisia. Unions, NGOs and civil society have already provided support to these workers, but concrete measures must be taken to guarantee their safety and improve their working conditions.
It is time for the Tunisian authorities to coordinate their efforts and take drastic measures to resolve this problem which is only getting worse. It is necessary to revise current legislation, implement safety measures on the roads, improve working conditions and guarantee fair remuneration for agricultural women.
In conclusion, it is unacceptable that agricultural women in Tunisia continue to risk their lives to return to their work.. It is imperative to act now to ensure their safety and improve their working conditions. The agricultural sector can only develop peacefully if rural workers are protected and valued.