Energy minister: Sonatrach does not inflate foreign workers’ salary

Algerian energy minister Salah Khabri rejected criticism about his sector concerning high salaries earned by foreign workers in gas carriers. “Sonatrach uses world criteria in paying workers. Reports about favouritism among foreign and local employees are baseless,” he said.

“The number of Algerian workers in gas carriers reached 1,100. The union is in charge of negotiating salaries. The salary is estimated at $6,500. It is fixed in accordance to criteria set by the International Union of Transport Workers,” he told Parliament.

“Algerian sea crew benefits from a month holiday after every working month while workers in other foreign companies get only 15 days of vacation,” he added.

Asked about a program about renewable energies approved by the government in 2011, the minister said it aims at developing solar renewable energies to produce 22,000 megawatts by 2030.

“This would raise power share coming from renewable sources by more than 27 percent of power national production,” he added.