Ahmad 
The adoption of the outgoing National Unity Government in Libya, the Kafeel regime, has raised widespread concerns among the Tunisian community in the country.
The Minister of Labor and Rehabilitation in the outgoing Government of National Unity, Ali Al-Abed, announced that local companies will be “the official sponsor before the Libyan state” for foreign workers who will be imported through the new electronic system launched by the ministry.
Al-Abed explained that this step “will contribute to facilitating procedures and eliminating bureaucracy regarding the file of importing workers from abroad.”
The decision received reactions and astonishment from some countries, especially neighboring Tunisia, where the sponsorship system was considered a failed experiment in the Gulf states, which raises questions about the feasibility of implementing it in Libya.
Libyan political analyst Hazem Al-Rayes said in press statements that the objectives of this new measure or how to implement it are still unclear, and it does not serve Libya’s interests at the present time.
Al-Rais explained that the presence of foreign workers serves the interest of Libya because it needs labor, and this measure will affect the situation of workers who feel afraid of implementing it, according to his description.
Al-Rais wondered, “How can an interim government that does not represent all Libyans pass a law of such importance?”
For his part, Tunisian political analyst Jumaa Al-Qasimi said that the sponsorship system, which the Dbeibeh government said it would begin implementing, will have major repercussions on all communities residing in western Libya.
Al-Qasimi explained that the largest portion of the Tunisian community is located in western Libya, which is why it is greatly concerned with the repercussions of the decision.
Al-Qasimi stressed that the decision violates all the Arab Maghreb Union agreements to which Libya was a signatory and which are still in effect.
Al-Qasimi believed that diplomatic relations between the two countries would be affected to a limited extent, because relations currently are not in their best conditions, as Tunisia chose to move in a narrow box with regard to the Libyan file, which was reflected in its influence on this file, according to him.
Al-Qasimi believes that the Dbeibeh government, whose term has expired, is unable to implement the measure on the ground due to its inability to control the entire Libyan geographical area.
There are no official figures about the number of Tunisians in Libya but estimates indicate that their number ranges between 120,000 and 150,000 working in various sectors.
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