800 Customs Officers Sit-In Near The UGTA to Support Their Hunger-Striker Colleagues

About 800 Customs officers coming from different regions of Algeria have marked a sit in near the headquarters of the Central Trade Union (UGTA) on Saturday morning, where 16 of their colleagues are observing a hunger strike since last Sunday.

The Customs striker officers vowed not to stop their action, until their claims are met by the head office, in spite of their deteriorating health conditions, as two of them, suffering diabetes, are still in hospital enduring medical treatments.

Their determination is growing day after day, fueled by the indifference of the Customs head office.

In fact, the striker officers have been occupying the entrance of the UGTA headquarters in downtown Algiers, for 8 days, without however attracting the intention of their superiors.   

“We won’t give up, even if we die one after the other,” cried Slimani Karim, a striker Customs inspector, using a megaphone. 

“The Head Office is in a decaying situation in terms of competences,” he added, amid applauds of the 800 Customs officers who came, from different provinces, to support their hunger- striker colleagues.

The tired-looking officer further claimed allegiance to the UGTA, saying “The labor coordination we created was not an attempt to surpass the UGTA, which remains our sole representative,” adding: “moreover, we’ve chosen to observe this hunger strike in the UGTA headquarters.”

The pale faced and tearful Slimani gave the megaphone to another striker, and then was helped by some of his colleagues to return to his bed.

The striker Customs officers require Office to stop interfering in their liberty of syndicalism, and claim to lift sanctions on the suspended officers.