A general strike in the southern Tunisian city of Gabes, accompanied by tens of thousands of protesters, has brought the region to a standstill. Demonstrators rallied in support of demands for the closure of a state chemical plant, the CGT phosphate facility, which has been linked to ongoing environmental pollution and health crises in the area. Shops, markets, and schools were closed on Tuesday as a result of the strike, called by Tunisia’s main trade union, the UGTT. Protesters raised banners highlighting the adverse effects of pollution on local health, chanting slogans such as “Gabes wants to live” and “dismantle the polluting units.” Earlier this month, President Kais Saied described the situation in Gabes as an “environmental assassination” resulting from previous governmental policies, leading to increased cases of cancer and respiratory illnesses. In response to rising health concerns, Health Minister Mustapha Ferjani announced plans for a new cancer hospital in Gabes, although no timeline was provided. Despite a previous government commitment in 2017 to gradually shut down the plant, recent statements indicated an increase in production levels. Environmental groups have reported significant declines in marine life and local fish stocks over the past decade, which has adversely affected the livelihoods of many fishermen in the area.
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