Government fears of employing refugees in Algeria
Photo: archives
Sources from Algerian government told Echorouk that the file of hiring foreign labour in many private sectors like agriculture will be soon discussed at the Executive chamber for study and activation in the field, or for decision to postpone or abolish.
Echorouk sources said the decision concerns Syrian and Malian refugees as a first step, according to the humanitarian cases, and among the sectors that will exploit the foreign labour there is, irrigation, building, public works and agriculture.
“government fears the occurrence of problems as immediate results of launching the application of this decision, like the increasing illegal immigration from neighboring countries like Morocco, Niger, Mali, Chad and Libya, and the problem of unemployment among Algerian youth. Most important fears that are facing government, the emergence of groups among the first and second degree citizens, and this through adopting the Gulf model, as foreigners work and Algerians sleep.”
In a related context, a large discussion inside the government about the repercussions of applying this procedure, especially as it will open the door for demands that are raised by foreign workers like right of residence and marriage in Algeria, which would increase the phenomenon of mixed marriage.
“Majority in government is approving the project to benefit from the foreign labour and its experience especially the Syrians. In case of approving the project the wages will be paid in dinars unlike the foreign investors, especially since employing foreign political refugees is among the humanitarian causes”.