Tunisia reaches deal with protestors in border oil zone

TUNIS, June 16 (KUNA) -- The Tunisia Government and protestors' representatives in the oil zone in southern Tataouine region have reached a deal to halt the protests that broke out two months ago paralyzing operations in the local petroleum sector.
Local media quoted Employment Minister Imed Hammami as saying on Friday that he agreed with the workers' leaders to resume oil production immediately, stop the protests and open a key road in the region.
The government according the deal will employ 1,500 youth in the oil companies, earmark USD 200 as a grant for job seekers and abstain from taking legal action against the activists.
The protests had broken up with demands to grant jobs for the youth in the oil companies in the desert region bordering Libya.
The activists had stopped production at the oil field Al-Kamour, triggering clashes with security forces. At least one person died and several others were wounded in the violence. (end) ksj.rk