In Tunisia, retirees bear the brunt of the economic crisis

"I work because I don't really have a choice," says Jamel, 70, his beard barely shaved, work clothes stained with paint, a straw hat firmly on his head. In the intense summer heat, he got up at 4 a.m. to supervise a construction site. This building contractor has been in the field since he was 15. As a freelancer, he contributed very little to his pension because he declared very little. In Tunisia, the informal economy represents 44% of the active population. "If I stop, my retirement won't be more than 300 dinars [about $105] even though I'm still supporting my wife and two of my children who live at home," he explains. For him, a decent income would be around 2,000 dinars ($680) to cover the household’s expenses and needs. "I'm able to scrape together some money thanks to my work sites, but I...