NO MARMITE IN TUNISIA

Many people writing into the various message boards and forums about Tunisia have been asking the same question.  How easy is it to find work here? 

Women Have Many Options
Almost half of the Tunisian workforce are women;  many more are studying at universities, however, because of the low cost of living, some actually don't feel the need to work.  Mothers with children are able to exercise the option of staying at home with their children.  There is not the pressure in Tunisia, on women to work as well as their husband, to provide a joint income, as there is in the UK.

Wages
Wages are not high, but food is cheap, your gas and electricity bills less than half that of British Gas, and even the water bills which are run by a meter are laughable compared to what you would pay in the UK!  Depending upon which area you choose to live in, I know of somebody who is renting an extremely large 3 bedroomed apartment for about 150 dinars a month (£70).

Starting Your Own Business
Rather like Spain, back in the 1970s, Tunisia is an excellent place to start your own business, to offer your unique idea to the Tunisian people before hordes of people discover the place and try and muscle in on your idea! 

• Love Of Anything Foreign
  Tunisians love everything foreign.  Many people I know make a nice little earner simply by bringing foreign make up and beauty products which are obtainable here, but quite pricey, during their summer holidays.  A label saying " Made in Britain or "Made In France" could have people flocking to you!  Worth noting is that many Tunisians drive over the border to Libya, where all items, especially clothing have been purchased for next to nothing prices.  They then sell them for double the amount back in Tunisia.
• Foreign Second-hand Clothing
  Tunisia's markets contain many clothing stalls selling "seconds."  Tunisians love being able to pick up designer tops for as little as 50p.  Tunisian relatives also love to be able to dress their children in your children's clothes once you have finished with them, just because, coming from England they are different to what is currently in their shops.  A business combining the two, may turn out to be a good idea!
• Working From Home
  Coming from England with a skill that would enable you to work from home, such as an online computer-based business, hairdressing and beauty or teaching for example, would be an ideal starting point, for those who have no knowledge of Tunisia's two main languages of French and Arabic.
• Sandwich Bar/Restaurant
  Wonderful and certainly warmer weather for most of the year, with guaranteed sunshine for 300 out of those 365 days, and a country that is geared towards tourism, could see an excellent return on a little sandwich bar run next to a busy beach.  An English Bar has been based in Hammamet South, for quite a while.
• Weddings
  Tunisian's one big expenditure in their lives are their weddings.  There are of course, many Tunisians in the business already, but dresses designed in England, hairdressers providing the latest styles from Europe, DJs with the European remixes to the latest hits, wedding cakes or menu plans designed that little bit differently may also turn out to be lucrative.
• Renting Out Your Property
  Every summer, many Algerians hop across the border and are on the look out for properties to rent for their annual summer holiday.  Tunisia is a very popular desination for many other Arab and European nations also, where renting a property with a pool would be seen as a welcome alternative by many, to stopping in a hotel.  It may pave the way for quite a comfortable retirement income, if a property was purchased and rented out until you chose to move here permanently.
  
  Another alternative would be to rent out the basement of your property whilst living upstairs.  Many Tunisians live in the basement of their house whilst the rest of their house is being completed, or rent this out to finance the rest of the building
  For property advice see:- http://www.nomarmiteintunisia.co.uk/fromramsgatetotunisia.htm

There are many little ideas, that in Britain we take for granted as part of everyday life that could be perhaps introduced into the Tunisian way of life.  Living here for a while could inspire you to come up with something to enable you to live comfortably in this hot, sunny climate all year round.

If any of you  have already started your own business over here
and would like to offer advice to your fellow expat
or to simply promote your business,
please do not hesitate to email me.
nomarmiteintunisia@yahoo.fr

Full Time Vacancies
Full time vacancies are advertised in the newspapers such as La Presse or employment agencies.  Most of these jobs require many qualifications and almost always languages, including being fluent in both French and Arabic.

Part Time/Seasonal Vacancies
For the expat in Tunisia, part time vacancies seem to be plentiful, especially in the summer.  It would help if you have managed to get a grasp of the language.  My 15  year old daughter was able to get part time summer work in a boutique.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This may have been because having lived here for a year, although not fluent, she has picked up the language quite well.  Many of the cafes and sandwich bars also advertise for help in their shop windows and the supermarket Monoprix in Nabeul which was advertising the fact that it was open 24 hours during the summer, was also advertising for extra staff.

Teaching English
The English language is very much in demand, but still a relatively new language here.  Children begin to learn the language at school in Year 5, aged 10.  Having English as your mother tongue, could provide an opportunity for any of you with TEFL skills, perhaps to work from home giving private tuition, set up a homework club, or look for employment opportunities within the schools, local or international.

http://www.amideast.org/  Possibility of teaching English vacancies on this website, in Tunisia and throughout North Africa and the Middle East.

http://www.britishcouncil.org/learning-elt-teach-english.htm?mtklink=teach-english-corporate-homepage-link  Teachers, Managers and Language Assistants.  The British Council has downloadable materials and lesson plans, qualifications and jobs pages with the latest vacancies.  Tunisia is one of the few countries where you are required to have a degree as well as a TEFL qualification in order to teach English as a foreign language.

Vacancies In Tourism
Anything to do with tourism obviously works well here, from guides, to taxi drivers, to selling ceramics on a market stall or simply bottles of iced coke to thirsty holidaymakers.  Applying to the major British holiday companies such as Panorama or Thomson, or the British Embassy itself could be an ideal way of gaining employment whilst getting to know the country, settling in, and gaining knowledge as to what is available, or maybe studying the market for ideas for your own business.

Investing in Tunisia
http://www.investintunisia.tn/site/en/home.php?id_article=848

Extra Help
http://www.wanadoo.tn/  has employment agencies featured. 

La Presse also has an "Employment Required" column in its paper.  http://www.lapresse.tn/

Below are links which have been sent to me for employment agencies or websites offering vacancies. 

Employment Agencies

Adecco
http://www.adeccotunisie.com/index.php?opt=6

Manpower
http://www.manpower.com/mpcom/index.jsp

http://www.manpower-tunis.com/Pub/content.asp?ref=Tunisia&noderef=home&langid=fr

Monster
http://www.monster.co.uk/geo/siteselection.asp

Advice From The British Embassy

The following is some useful advice about gaining full time permanent employment in Tunisia.

I should like to work in Tunisia. Is this allowed?
Only if you have a properly drawn-up contract which has been endorsed  e.g. by the Ministry of Social Affairs. Foreigners are not allowed to do jobs which Tunisians could normally fill. There are special provisions for foreign-owned or off-shore companies.

How do I obtain such a contract?
You cannot apply for one yourself. When an employer has offered you a job, you will draw up a contract by mutual consent and it is incumbent on your employer to get proper ministerial endorsement of it.

How do I find a job?
If you do not have a personal contact who wishes to employ you or can help you meet prospective employers, you could answer advertisements appearing in the local press or place an ad yourself. You should register your CV and job application with the Bureau de l'Emploi Regional in the town where you wish to work

How do I place an ad in the press?
Call at, or write to "La Presse Publicité, 6 Rue Ali Bach Hamba, Tunis.  Tel. 71 341 066 with the wording of your ad, and the dates you wish it to appear. They will tell you exactly what to do and how much it will cost. Try also "Tunis-Hebdo", Rue El Houdaibia, Tunis Tel. 71 249 859, "Le Renouveau", 8 Rue de Rome, Tunis, Tel. 71 352 168, or "Le Temps", Boulevard 7 Novembre, El Menzah, Tunis Tel.: 71 717 222.

How should I expect to be paid?
Monthly, in Tunisian dinars which are non-transferable (unless the terms of your contract specify otherwise).

Would I be liable for tax?
Yes. All income is taxable. Expect a rate of 20% but ask your employer for precise details.  There is a UK/Tunisia non-double taxation agreement, signed in London on 15 December 1982.

Can I get advice on a contract when one is offered to me?
Certainly, and it is strongly advised that you do consult a lawyer before signing any contract. If you require it, a list of lawyers is available in the Consular Section, or from Consular Division of the FCO in London.

Is there anything special I should look out for?
Ask about provisions for medical care. There is no free treatment available to you here. Your employer may have a group medical-cover scheme, which you could join. If not, take into account the expense of doctors' and dentists' bills etc. when doing your sums. Expect to wait several weeks/months before salary payments start to reach you: Have funds available to tide you over until then.