Algerian Unionists On Hunger Strike Between Life And Death

With the hunger strike of nine Algerian trade union leaders entering its fourth week, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has expressed grave concern over the serious health condition of the strikers, and is calling on Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to intervene to resolve the disquieting issue.

• The nine senior representatives of the union representing courthouse clerks launched their hunger strike as a result of the refusal of the Justice Ministry to deal with a series of employment grievances affecting Justice Department employees, and due to the government’s continued refusal to recognize their trade union affiliated to “SNAPAP”, the National Independent Union of Public Administration Personnel.
• Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary said, “We are very concerned that the health of the hunger strikers is deteriorating rapidly. We ask the Algerian Government to step back from its policy of confrontation, accept that these workers have the right to form and join their own trade union, and negotiate a comprehensive solution to the complaints they have raised. First and foremost, any justice ministry should itself operate on the basis of justice, in accordance with international law”.
• The union, the National Federation of Justice Employees, was formed when workers in the sector refused to accept government-appointed representatives.
• When the Justice Ministry refused to recognize the union, its members launched a national strike on 10 April. 90% of the workforce joined the 21-day strike, which was met with violent repression, arrests, suspension of employees and a range of other arbitrary acts.
• On 6 May, faced with continuing government intransigence, the nine members of the Federation’s executive started their hunger strike, demanding that the Minister open a dialogue with the union.

• The ITUC has been informed that the nine Algerian unionists still on hunger strike, namely Leïla Aberkane, Rabia Menaa, Nadia Derouiche, Zahia Boutaoui, Fouzia Bouziani, Mourad Ghedia, Saad Bourekba, Azziza Haddadi, and Beldjani Djemai are now in a critical health condition, having already lost around 15% of their body weight.

• Several of them have been admitted to hospital for emergency medical treatment.