30 April 1966: Enactment of the Tunisian Labour Code [Law No. 66-27 of 30 April 1966]

The Tunisian Labour Code set up the basis of the contributory social protection system. It integrated the previous rights already acquired under CNR and CPS (for public employees) and under the CNSS Law (for private sector workers). Thus, the Labour Code endorses a distinction among public employees and private sector workers’ social security schemes and rights. Discriminations among the public and private sector social security schemes can be assessed through an analysis of maternity leaves regulations endorsed by the Labour Code. Maternity leaves are set at one month for most workers, with the notable exception of civil servants, who are granted two months of maternity leave. Private sector women workers receive 67% of the average daily wage during their maternity leaves, while women working in agriculture receive 50% of their flat-rate daily wage (calculated on the SMAG [Salaire Minimum Agricole Garanti]). Women civil servants receive full pay during their maternity leave.