Algeria: Health workers ramp up strike action

A national strike by health workers continued yesterday for higher wages and better working conditions, as protests by unemployed youth and laid-off workers were reported in several parts of the country.

• Algeria was hit last January by a series of youth riots against high food costs linked to government subsidy cuts and rising world food prices.
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• On Thursday, a very large number of  intern doctors, nurses, paramedics and medical students continued an indefinite national strike begun the day before. The striking health care workers are providing only a minimum level of basic and emergency services at the various health centers notably at the main Mustapha Bacha university hospital in central Algiers where the protesters gathered for a mass rally in support of their claims.
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• The authorities have declined to negotiate with the smaller Algerian Paramedics Union (SAP), preferring to deal with the official UGTA (General Union of Algerian Workers).
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• The strikers have reportedly little confidence in negotiations with public authorities, however. One sign at a demonstration outside the Burn Clinic in Algiers read, “Stop hemorrhaging promises.”
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• According to media reports, the overwhelming majority of the 100,000 workers in the health care sector are participating in the ongoing strike.
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• They are demanding pay increases, the integration of their training program into the university system, and the reinstatement of union delegates who have been fired.
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• SAP spokesman Lounes Ghachi explained: “Hospital directors have been told to stop the strike with threats and intimidation, but they have not managed to dent the determination of the striking health workers.”
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• In a separate development, laid off temporary workers at the state-run ENAD chemical plant in Sour-El-Ghozlane, east of Algiers vehemently protested yesterday outside company headquarters, demanding their jobs back.
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• The layoffs took place at the onset of the month of March. According to press reports, the sacked workers are threatening to commit suicide if their demands are not met.
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