Workshop Reveals Findings of Social Protection Survey for Small-Scale Fishers in Tunisia

On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Tunis, the FAO, alongside the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, Hydraulic Resources and Fisheries, the Tunisian government, and CRES, organized a workshop on the social protection of small-scale fishers. The workshop included both the advisor to the Minister of Agriculture in charge of fisheries and aquaculture (Yassine Skandrani), as well as the advisor to the Minister of Social Affairs (Wassim Laabidi), alongside a panel of workers from both the fisheries and social affairs sectors. This event was the culmination of a socio-economic survey aimed at gaining a better understanding of the challenges faced by fishers in Tunisia. Funded by NORAD, the project aimed to improve the welfare of those working in the fisheries sector, recognizing the importance of inclusive social protection systems. 

Despite existing social protection schemes, coverage remained insufficient, particularly for small-scale fishers. The workshop served as a platform to present the results of the survey and launch discussions on how to effectively address these gaps. Participants from different sectors, including government bodies, UN agencies, civil society organizations, fishers' associations, and academic institutions, worked together to extend and strengthen social protection mechanisms. 

Through joint efforts and knowledge sharing, the workshop aimed to pave the way for tangible improvements in social protection coverage for fishers in Tunisia.