Tunisia: Textile factory'abruptly' shuts down citing international competition & price pressure
"Zaghouan: Abrupt Factory Closure, 250 Workers Threatened with Unemployment", 20 September 2025
The social climate became extremely tense last night at the Sion technical textiles factory in Zaghouan, following the sudden announcement of its closure for financial reasons.
The regional branch of the UGTT (Tunisian General Labour Union) denounced the unilateral decision, made without respecting legal procedures, which risks plunging 250 workers into forced unemployment. According to the general secretary, Hamadi Néhali, management dismissed alternative solutions such as temporary layoffs or partial dismissals, which could have mitigated the impact of the crisis.
...the factory management justified the closure by citing increased international competition and price pressure from Asian producers, while promising to protect employee rights through a social plan developed in consultation with the authorities and social partners.
[Translation via Google Translate]