The Tunisian National Contact Point (NCP) promotes the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and supports the implementation of Responsible Business Conduct principles. It contributes to raising awareness of and disseminating these principles among enterprises, business organizations, trade unions, civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders.

The Tunisian NCP may be approached to examine specific instances involving alleged non-observance of the OECD Guidelines. In this context, it acts as a non-judicial grievance and dispute resolution mechanism by providing the parties with a platform for dialogue, mediation and conciliation, with a view to contributing to the resolution of disputes and promoting the effective implementation of the OECD Guidelines.

The Tunisian National Contact Point (NCP) carries out the following functions:

• Raising awareness of and promoting the principles of Responsible Business Conduct (RBC).
• Encouraging the integration of Responsible Business Conduct principles into corporate governance policies and practices.
• Organising seminars and workshops for enterprises and economic and social stakeholders.
• Developing practical guidance for private sector enterprises in cooperation with the OECD.
• Disseminating official OECD publications and guidance materials.
• Receiving submissions relating to alleged non-observance of the OECD Guidelines concerning irresponsible business conduct.

The Tunisian National Contact Point is a tripartite body bringing together representatives of trade unions, businesses and several public administrations.

Its activities are coordinated by the Directorate General for International Investment Agreements and Disputes, which serves as the Chair and Secretariat of the NCP. The Directorate General is responsible for matters relating to Responsible Business Conduct (RBC), which fall within the mandate of the OECD Working Party on Responsible Business Conduct under the Investment Committee.

Member organisations of the NCP — each organisation is represented by one principal representative.

Any individual or legal entity, trade union, enterprise, association, civil society organisation or community that considers that the activities or conduct of a multinational enterprise or its business relationships are not consistent with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises may submit a specific instance to the Tunisian National Contact Point (NCP).

The Tunisian NCP is competent to examine specific instances relating to:

• the activities of multinational enterprises operating in Tunisia;
• the activities of Tunisian enterprises and their business relationships abroad;
• situations having a sufficient link with Tunisia or falling within the scope of the OECD Guidelines.

National Contact Points form an international network bringing together the States adhering to the OECD Guidelines. The Guidelines apply to the activities of multinational enterprises operating in these countries as well as to the international activities of enterprises headquartered in those countries.

When handling specific instances, NCPs cooperate and coordinate their actions whenever more than one country is concerned by the same case.

Submitting a case to the Tunisian NCP is free of charge and confidential.

Requests must be submitted to the Secretariat of the Tunisian NCP using the submission form available on the NCP website, and should be accompanied by any documents or information relevant to the examination of the case.

Upon receipt of a submission, the Tunisian NCP conducts an initial assessment to determine whether the case falls within its mandate and whether it merits further examination, in accordance with its internal procedures and the OECD Guidelines implementation procedures.