Presentation and discussion of the study: Hidden hardship of an unnoticed workforce: The economic lives of refugees and migrants in Tunisia

Tunisia is not only a country of origin, but also an important transit and destination country for refugees and migrants. Refugees and migrants are visible in Tunisia’s everyday life and contribute to its culture and economy. However, the role that migrants and refugees play in Tunisia’s society is rarely reflected in public discourse and their contributions often go unnoticed. Their legal situation remains unclear and many live and work irregularly in Tunisia. Formal employment is often nearly impossible and instead they provide for their livelihoods by taking on informal work. The COVID-19 crisis and its economic effects only further deteriorated the situation of migrants and refugees. With scarce national data on migrant populations, little is known about the daily realities of migrants and refugees. What is the economic situation of refugees and migrants? In which sectors do they work and what are their working conditions and potential vulnerabilities to risks in Tunisia? The latest report by the Heinrich Böll Foundation Tunis in cooperation with the Mixed Migration Centre in North Africa examines these circumstances and highlights their role in the broader Tunisian economic development.

Programme:

10:00 Opening by Heinrich Boell Foundation Tunis

Heike Loeschmann, Director of the Heinrich Boell Foundation, Tunis office

10:10 Presentation of the main findings of the study by the Mixed Migration Centre in North Africa

Jim van Moorsel, Research Officer, MMC North Africa

Imen Aouani, Tunisia Project Coordinator, MMC North Africa

10:30 Migrant and Refugee Voices from Médenine and Tunis

Samual Abraham, 4Mi Enumerator, MMC North Africa

José Tebou, 4Mi Enumerator, MMC North Africa

10:50 Reflections from key migration stakeholders: Local council and the Danish Refugee Council

Mohamed Wajdi Aydi, Lawyer and Deputy mayor of the city of Sfax

Yadh Bousselmi, Tunisia Country Representative and Regional Programme Advisor, Danish Refugee Council

11:05 Discussion among panelists

11:30 Q&A with the audience

12:00 Closing of the event

The moderator is Ayah Alzayat, Independent researcher

Please click here for registration.

Participation and technical equipment: The conference will be in a hybrid format. A limited number of attendees will be personally invited to participate in person. Remote participation is possible via Zoom Software (translation into Arabic, French & English is provided on Zoom) and on Facebook live.

For questions please contact: wajdi.filali@tn.boell.org