Workers at Tunisia's Société tunisienne de l'électricité et du gaz (STEG) are threatening to go on strike over concerns about their safety, wages, and benefits. The threat comes after a general assembly on October 1, where workers and union representatives expressed their dissatisfaction with the company's social conditions. The assembly, held at STEG's headquarters under the auspices of the Union régionale du travail de Tunis, highlighted the need for improved safety measures and better working conditions.
A major concern for the workers is the lack of adequate safety equipment and protective gear. Union representatives denounced the delays in supplying equipment and protective clothing to workers who intervene on the electrical network. They also raised concerns about the recent increase in fatal work accidents in the sector, calling for urgent action to strengthen protection measures. This comes after the death of Adel Amraoui, a team leader at STEG's Mateur branch, who died on September 5 from electrocution.
The workers' concerns go beyond safety issues, with union representatives also contesting what they see as a rollback of certain social benefits. They criticized the "selective application" and "exclusionary measures" affecting certain company cadres, particularly with regard to the provisions of circular n°26-079, dated September 30, 2026. Furthermore, workers are demanding a revision of the salary grid, citing erosion of purchasing power and workload.
The workers' assembly concluded with a call for possible protest actions, including a strike, if no dialogue is initiated and concrete responses are not provided to their demands. This new mobilization extends a climate of tension that already appeared in September around working conditions and agent safety. The question now is whether social dialogue will allow the conflict to be defused before a new stage of mobilization is decided.
The September 5 accident that killed Adel Amraoui led to a national mobilization and a call for a revision of the safety device. According to union information at the time, the agent was a victim of electrocution, although STEG did not detail the circumstances of the accident in its press release. The Fédération générale de l'électricité et du gaz then called for a national mobilization and demanded a revision of the safety device.
Workers are demanding a comprehensive revision of wages, citing the erosion of purchasing power and the workload borne by staff. They also expressed dissatisfaction with certain provisions of the circular, which they consider exclusionary. The union representatives emphasized the need for an urgent response to their demands, particularly with regard to safety and wages.
The threat of a strike by STEG workers highlights the tensions within the company and the need for improved working conditions, safety measures, and benefits. The situation remains uncertain, with the possibility of a strike looming if the workers' demands are not met.
Key points
- Workers at Tunisia's STEG utility company threaten strike over safety concerns, wages, and benefits.
- Recent fatal work accidents have raised concerns about safety measures in the sector.
- Workers are demanding a comprehensive revision of wages and benefits.
