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7 September, 2026Workers at the Gafsa Phosphate Company in Tunisia went in strike for three days this week to demand improved health and safety conditions, implementation of previous agreements and payment of bonuses withheld for two years. The strike, which concluded on 3 September, with over 95 percent participation, follows the death of a worker on 22 August due to inadequate health and safety measures. The action was called by the Fédération Générale des Mineurs Tunisiens - FGMT – UGTT, affiliated to Union Générale Tunisienne du Travail UGTT and IndustriALL.
The strike achieved over 95 per cent participation across all production areas and administrative departments. Workers demanded improved health and safety conditions, implementation of previous agreements, payment of the production bonus withheld for two years, and guaranteed social services including loans and advance pay deducted from their wages.
On 22 August, a worker died at a Gafsa Phosphate mine due to inadequate health and safety measures. This came after months of failed dialogue: FGMT-UGTT issued demands on 30 June, but management failed to respond seriously and cancelled a scheduled meeting on 4 August without explanation. These events prompted the strike.
This situation reflects a broader breakdown: the government halted dialogue with UGTT in September 2023, and state-owned companies have since stopped negotiating with unions.
The Gafsa Phosphate Company faces a financial crisis marked by delayed wages, halted bonuses and benefits, and unpaid supplier obligations. FGMT-UGTT attributes this to poor governance and deep structural dysfunction under current management. In a March 2026 statement, the union called on the government to guarantee wage payments and initiate reform based on transparency and accountability.
Reem Hilal, FGMT – UGTT general secretary, says:
“The strike demonstrates workers’ commitment to their legitimate rights. Workers deserve safe and healthy working conditions, timely wages and bonuses and to know the company’s future, particularly following a worker’s death.
“This year, workers increased phosphate production from 3 million to 4 million metric tons. Yet management withholds their rights and refuses dialogue. We are consulting with workers and unions to determine next steps if management refuses our demands.”
Says IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie:
“Wages, worker safety, and fundamental rights are non-negotiable. We fully support the legitimate demands of the workers and urge the company to take immediate and necessary action to address their concerns. Furthermore, social dialogue must be restored, not only to negotiate workers’ demands and safeguard their rights, but also to help protect the company and navigate this critical crisis.”