Presidential candidate and former CEO of TunisAir, Olfa Hamdi has reiterated her commitment to introduce the integration of the informal economy to foster economic growth and development if elected as President of Tunisia.  

According to her, this strategy will pave the way for economic freedom and significantly empower women financially.

The informal economy in Tunisia, which includes unregistered businesses and undeclared work, forms a substantial part of the nation’s GDP. However, it largely operates outside the formal regulatory framework, leading to considerable tax revenue losses and limited social security access for workers.

In a recent interview with VoA, Olfa Hamdi, who is also the founder and president of the Third Republic Party of Tunisia, highlighted that a large percentage of workers in the informal sector are women, surpassing 50% of the formal economy’s workforce.

She noted, “These women are underpaid. It’s unfortunate that many women in Tunisia struggle with financial freedom, inclusivity, and access to jobs. They lack security and proper contracts, essentially working in darkness.”

“One of the key reforms I’m advocating is the integration of the informal economy into the formal economy by reforming the overall system. This will create a path to economic freedom and opportunities for women.” She added.

Running on a platform focused on economic reform and modernization, she emphasized that addressing the challenges posed by the informal economy is crucial to unlocking Tunisia’s full economic potential. “Economic freedom will create financial empowerment for women, allowing them to choose who they want to be,” she added.

Hamdi also reflected on the 2011 revolution’s slogans of “Employment, Freedom, Dignity,” stating, “We worked on freedom, we worked on dignity, but we forgot employment. And that’s why we’re here today in Tunisia. That’s what I’m working on.”

Tunisia has long struggled with the challenges posed by its large informal sector. Recent estimates suggest that the informal economy accounts for over 40% of employment in Tunisia, significantly affecting the country’s economic development.

Hamdi’s plan also includes measures to enhance social protection for informal sector workers, ensuring they have access to healthcare, pensions, and other benefits available to formal sector workers. She stressed that integrating the informal economy is vital for building a more equitable and sustainable economy.

The upcoming election, scheduled for later this year, is anticipated to be highly competitive, with economic reform at the heart of her platform, Hamdi aims to position herself as a candidate capable of delivering much-needed change.

 About Olfa Hamdi

Olfa Hamdi is a Tunisian presidential candidate for the 2024 election expected to be held in October this year, founder and elected leader of center right party of Tunisia, the Third Republic Party, and the former CEO and chairwoman of the Tunisian National Airline.

She is an engineer, holds two masters of science and a law graduate degree, an entrepreneur and businesswoman and a former teacher at the Tunisian Military War College and Staff College and National Institute of Defense.

Her vision is to unlock economic growth in Tunisia for Tunisian youth  and preserve Tunisia’s democracy established after the 2011 revolution.