Staff strike: Jirama faces a major crisis jeopardizing its operations

Mis à jour le 22 May 2026

A Social and Financial Crisis Undermining Madagascar’s Essential Public Service

For several months, Madagascar has been facing an unprecedented wave of disruptions in the water and electricity sectors, primarily orchestrated by the strike of Jirama employees. This social movement, which began in mid-October 2025, transcends a simple labor dispute to reveal a deep crisis that threatens the very stability of the public service. The paralysis caused by this protest has exacerbated an already fragile situation, highlighting the need for collective action to preserve the public interest. The striking employees have long denounced mismanagement, compounded by payment delays, deteriorating working conditions, and a controversial reform.

Discover everything about the concept of a strike: definitions, examples, and implications in different contexts such as sports, work, and games. The disastrous consequences of the staff strike on Jirama’s financial situation.The figures released by the Ministry of Energy and Hydrocarbons in 2026 reveal an alarming reality regarding the state of the national electricity company. The staffing crisis precipitated a precipitous drop in Jirama’s financial performance, already hampered by inefficient management and a chronic deficit. Historically, the potential monthly revenue was around 95.4 billion ariary, but this momentum was broken as early as September, with revenue collection hovering around 90.6% of the potential. The situation deteriorated further in October, with the amount collected limited to only 83.2%, reflecting a loss of at least 25 billion ariary in two months.

This failure in payment collection inevitably results in an explosion of unpaid bills, which have now reached over 817 billion ariary by the end of October, with a significant increase of 3.30% among private subscribers in just one month, demonstrating a completely failing recovery system.

The impending bankruptcy threatens not only operational capacity but also the credibility of an entire institution essential to the country’s survival. The situation is so critical that the level of gridlock in administrative management has reached a high alert threshold, with over 3,500 unprocessed customer requests, leaving an administrative vacuum that is fueling the crisis.

The profound repercussions of the crisis on the quality and continuity of public service.

Maintaining quality service now appears utopian in a context marked by a

total blockage of operations.

The closure of the call center, whose role is crucial in customer relationship management, is a glaring example. The toll-free number 547, usually in high demand, saw its call volume plummet by more than 80% in a single month, leaving a multitude of requests and complaints unanswered and piling up in the shadows. The disorganization also extends to the back office: written requests, particularly via email, WhatsApp, or Facebook, have experienced a dramatic, 44% drop, a clear indication of the system’s overall failure. More than 3,500 customer requests went unrecorded, reflecting a complete disconnect between the public and the company’s administrative management. Consequently, the public is facing frequent, sometimes prolonged, service interruptions, which exacerbate a feeling of abandonment and reinforce distrust of the government and its institutions. The continued deterioration of public services underscores the urgent need to find a lasting solution to overcome this humanitarian crisis. Discover everything about the term ‘strike’: its meanings, uses, and diverse contexts, from sports to the workplace.

The social and political stakes in conflict management within Jirama.

This social conflict now extends beyond purely economic considerations, becoming part of a complex political dynamic. The deteriorating relationship between management and staff is exacerbating an already deep crisis, raising concerns about the stability of the public sector. Tensions are palpable, with threats of a general strike galvanizing a population increasingly worried about the future. The protests are intensifying, mobilizing various associations and citizens, in a context where each day of blockades deepens distrust of public management. Calls for dialogue are being made, but negotiations are struggling to progress due to often intransigent demands and a conflict that appears fueled by divergent interests. The central question remains: how to reconcile the parties to ensure effective and transparent management, while preventing an even more serious deterioration of this vital service? The crisis at Jirama starkly illustrates the urgent need for genuine change in the governance and management of public resources to prevent the situation from spiraling further out of control. Ongoing negotiations: efforts to defuse the crisis but persistent obstacles

Faced with the gravity of the situation, the authorities and the management of Jirama have initiated various steps to try to defuse the crisis. The negotiations, which have been ongoing for several weeks, aim to establish a climate of trust, essential for a lasting resolution of the conflict. However, differing viewpoints and persistent demands complicate the implementation of an agreement. The establishment of a

• recapitalization plan This is part of this dynamic, as is the promise of structural reforms to prevent the company from total collapse. The fear that these negotiations will not lead to an immediate outcome is a major risk if no concrete solution is found quickly. The population, for its part, remains anxiously awaiting the progress of the discussions, hoping for a way out of the crisis, which, at this stage, still seems uncertain.
• Sustainable solutions to overcome the crisis and ensure public service in Madagascar To break this deadlock, an integrated and coherent strategy is essential. Priority must be given to measures that reconcile the social, financial, and operational dimensions. Among these solutions, optimizing resource management, modernizing infrastructure, and establishing stable and transparent financing appear to be key areas. The implementation of a structural reform plan must also be accompanied by genuine dialogue with staff to strengthen trust and guarantee responsible governance. These efforts must be undertaken with complete transparency, involving all stakeholders: the government, unions, civil society, and international partners. Reducing unpaid bills, digitizing services, and raising public awareness for better consumption management are all key levers for restoring trust in a company that has become a symbol of frustration and uncertainty. List of priority actions to address the crisis at Jirama 💡💧
• 🔧 Structural Reform: Revise the statutes and modernize management for greater efficiency 💸
• Financial Stabilization: Ensure sustainable financing through the involvement of international partners 🤝 Frank Negotiations
• : Fostering constructive dialogue with all stakeholders 🔌 Infrastructure Modernization

Security and Continuity

Social Relations

Social Peace

The challenges ahead: preserving the integrity of public service and restoring trust

A sustainable recovery will require a resilient approach involving all stakeholders. The ability to bounce back from this crisis, while avoiding a recurrence of conflicts, depends on political will and the capacity to establish a climate of transparency and dialogue. The population, which has endured recurring power cuts for far too long, demands concrete measures to guarantee a reliable supply of water and energy. The crisis at Jirama highlights the urgent need for a thorough reform of this vital sector, taking into account social demands while ensuring sound financial management and modernization of equipment. The promise of a better future must be based on a solid long-term strategy, capable of addressing the growing challenges in a region facing successive crises.

FAQ: Key questions about the Jirama crisis in 2026

How does the strike affect consumers’ daily lives?

Frequent interruptions and prolonged outages have a direct impact on the comfort, safety, and economic activity of residents, reinforcing their distrust of the company’s management capabilities.

What are the main demands of the striking staff?

Employees are denouncing, in particular, opaque management, deteriorating working conditions, the non-payment of certain bonuses, and a reform they consider rushed and lacking in transparency.