(TAP) - The Cabinet meeting held Monday at the Government Palace adopted the Tunisair Group’s structural reform programme and took exceptional measures to ensure the success of the tourist season, Minister of Transport Hichem Ben Ahmed announced.

Speaking at a press conference held after the Cabinet meeting, Ben Ahmed said “it was agreed to rent airplanes and schedule additional flights for the Tunisian expatriates.”

"The Cabinet meeting stressed the need to support Tunisair Express, which plays a key role in domestic air transport and reviewed the reforms that will be initiated in the medium and long terms to improve the situation of Tunisair.”

"The technical committee, whose creation was decided by the Prime Ministry, will soon start studying the reform file in its commercial and social aspects,” he pointed out.

He reiterated that this reform will be conducted in close co-ordination with the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) with regard to the layoff of 1,200 employees.

On another note, Ben Ahmed said the Cabinet meeting adopted specifications for vehicles intended for the transport of farmhands in interior regions, in order to combat parallel transport.

While stressing the need to ensure agricultural transport, the minister said governors were authorised to grant additional permits and financial and fiscal incentives to people engaged in agricultural transport activity and complying with the provisions of those specifications.

In addition, the meeting reviewed the problems of the car rental sector, given the spread of parallel activity in this area.

He revealed in this context that it was decided to replace the license plate (blue-coloured) with another one.

He also announced that the Prime Ministry will soon hold a higher road safety council meeting, with the participation of all the professional structures.