Electricity cut off is a crime, says Sonelgaz’s CEO
Sonelgaz’s CEO Nourredine Bouterfa
Electricity cut off is a personal crime punished by the law. The rules of the National Society for Electricity and Gas (Sonelgaz) forbid threatening people, health institutions and the national economy by cutting electricity, Sonelgaz’s CEO Nourredine Bouterfa said.
- “Cutting off electricity is a crime as dangerous as murder. Electricity has a strategic role. It is different when electricity goes out by accident,” Nourredine Bouterfa told Echorouk.
- He said he would hold a meeting on Thursday with 36 chiefs of Sonelgaz’s subsidies to examine social demands presented by the company’s workers.
- He believes hat dialogue is the only way to solve all the problems. “All the subsidies’ chiefs will be consulted about the formulation of an appropriate strategy to meet the demands.
- “Sonelgaz can not afford 70 percent pay raise. Its national responsibility does not allow it to run such a risk. Some subsidies suffer from a big financial deficiency,” he said.
- He added that the company employed 14,000 people in the last few years. Sonelgaz does not have the same capacities as Algeria’s energy group Sonatrach. “Those who want to earn similar salaries, they should join Sonatrach.”
- Bouterfa said he is for a dialogue with a free union inside the company provided it is elected in accordance with the law.
- “The only recognised social partner is the General Union of Algerian Workers. Sonelgaz’s employees benefited from 50 percent pay raise in 2003.”