British oil and gas industry services company Petrofac has resumed its operations in Tunisia after the government reached a deal with protesters who had disrupted gas production for nine months, Tunisia Live reported.

The head of Petrofac Tunisia, Imed Darouich, confirmed that operations had resumed, according to Reuters.

Tunisia’s Union of Unemployed Graduates (UDC) and the General Workers Union (UGTT) were present during agreement talks between the local community and the government. Both entities witnessed the negotiations to map out an investment and development plan for the islands of Kerkennah in southern Tunisia.

Egypt Oil&Gas reported that Petrofac threatened to leave Tunisia and end its investment if protests were not immediately stopped. The company had been forced to disrupt gas production in Tunisia because of sit-ins by people seeking jobs. Violent protests erupted and the army intervened to protect the company in Kerkennah. Protestors had hoped to pressure Petrofac after state-run phosphate companies announced an agreement to hire 2,800 new workers after protests over jobs halted production and threatened to stop exports.