In June 2017, a report by Alaraby Aljadeed claimed that TCI Sanmar Chemicals' operations in Port Said, Egypt have been linked to explosions and lethal gas leaks that allegedly caused the death of one worker and injured about ten others. The report also claims that 150 factory workers have suffered from various life-threatening illnesses after being exposed to toxic gases during the production process. According to Alaraby Aljadeed, the company’s workers’ union submitted a formal complaint to the Office of the Deputy Minister of Interior for National Security. The complaint documents 14 serious incidents, including dumping  toxic waste into Lake Manzala and the Suez Canal.

Following an invitation from Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC) to respond to the allegations, Sanmar Group said the company had "adopted several measures and policies [demonstrating] its approach to...preserving professional integrity and contribute to the social development of [the] Port Said Governorate." Sanmar further clarified that the deceased worker was not an employee of TCI Sanmar, but of the subcontracted Egyptian Maintenance Company. Sanmar's full response is available below.

In November 2017, a number of Egyptian news outlets reported on allegations of life-threatening worker safety violations at the Port Said plant. According to the reports, factory workers were suspended and others detained following a strike in protest of poor safety conditions. The reports further claim that Sanmar’s factory is in violation of Egyptian Environmental Law No. 4 of 1994 and Labour Law No. 12 of 2003.

In a statement to BHRRC, Sanmar said the reports are based on "false and groundless allegations." According to Sanmar, the strike was illegal and involved threats of violence and intimidation. Employees allegedly shut down the cooling towers responsible for cooling chlorine, which could have resulted in serious air pollution and risks to public health. Sanmar's second response is available in full below. 

Note: This story is also available in Arabic.