On the eve of an announced general strike, tension rises in Gabès. Several national organizations and professional orders in the governorate published a press release this Monday affirming their support for civil and peaceful mobilizations against the industrial pollution which has poisoned the region for decades.
The signatories — including the Regional Union of Industry, Commerce and Crafts, the local representation of the National Union of Tunisian Women, the Regional Union of Agriculture and Fisheries, as well as the regional orders of lawyers, accountants, engineers and pharmacists — express a clear position: the defense of Gabès and the right of its inhabitants to a life in a healthy and secure environment.
They warn of the alarming deterioration of the situation in the region, due to the persistence of industrial pollution and the absence of structural solutions. These organizations affirm their commitment to organized collective action, insisting on respect for the legal framework and the protection of public and private property.
This statement of support comes as the Regional General Labor Union (UGTT) confirmed the holding of a general strike for this Tuesday, October 21, motivated by environmental deterioration and the inaction of the authorities in the face of an ecological disaster that has become unsustainable.
A region on its last legs
Gabès, long considered the forgotten environmental capital, today lives to the rhythm of toxic fumes, polluted water tables and sterilized land. Residents denounce a situation where industrial employment has transformed into a permanent health threat.
This interprofessional mobilization marks a turning point: the ecological file of Gabès is no longer a local demand, but a regional and national cause. The general strike promises to be a strong signal to the government, accused of slowness and inaction.
Read also
