A recent study published by the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES) reveals, the textile and clothing sector in the country is in a fragile state and not in tune with international changes. Surprisingly, after having been the leader of Tunisian exports, the sector continues to decline to the point that the whole economy suffers.
This is indeed a sad statement from a high employability sector given its low competitiveness that is no longer able to face global competition. This strongly impacts on the wages of labour, mainly women. Not to mention that this precarious condition of the industry is largely due to the crisis in the eurozone which has significantly altered the security situation and stability in Tunisia, particularly after the revolution. This led many investors to leave the country and bring down investments in the sector, according to FTDES.
Surprisingly, the number of companies in the sector fell sharply to 2,500 in 2005 and 1,907 in 2012. The number of job posts also decreased from more than 250,000 prior to 2005 to 185,000 in 2012, added the study that was conducted on a sample of 28 industrial enterprises specialized in the field of garment for export spread over the various delegations of the governorate of Monastir and 260 women working in the textile sector.
