25 Thousand Upset Workers Vow to Freeze Rouiba Industrial Area

Hundred workers at the industrial zone of Rouiba, east of Algiers, have marked a sit in front of the headquarters of the Central Trade Union (UGTA) to protest against the non implementation of laws relating to labour at public and private enterprises, which lead to the abusive fire of many workers.

The police cordon prevented the protesters from getting out of the building yard, as they attempted to march to the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Employment

The laws in question are related to the right for syndicalism, dismissal, and the 60 years old as a limit age for retirement.

Mokdad Messaoudi, Secretary General of the local union of the UGTA said “Our sit-in has nothing to do with socio-professional claims. It is rather about implementing the laws of the Republic. Some chiefs reject implementing them, and dare firing workers abusively,” adding that “We are against recalling retired workers to higher positions with astronomical salaries. This is a clear breach of the law related to retirement.”

A meeting between Minister of Industry, SMEs and Investment Promotion, Mohamed Benmeradi, and worker representatives has been scheduled Monday evening, Mr Messaoudi added. 

He further warned that the 25 thousand workers at the industrial area of Rouiba will block its activity, in case the minister does not meet their claims within the ten upcoming days.