Thousands of municipality guards protest in Algiers

Algiers- Over 3.000 municipality guards coming from several Algerian provinces rallied Monday in front of the headquarters of People’s National Assembly (parliament), announcing an open strike until their social and professional demands are met.

9.000 others in various Algerians localities also decided to go on strike, their representatives said, adding that they will not stop protests until their demands are realized by government.

Some protesters said they will not negotiate with the Interior Minister and insist on meeting with the PM Ahmed Ouyahia, while others prefer keeping silent and raising slogans which criticize the PM.

 Eight representatives of delegations coming from various towns met with Algeria Parliament speaker Abdelaziz Ziari for almost three hours.

 Security cervices cordoned the place and over 2000 policemen tightened control on protesters and arrest some of the municipality guards. Some officers tried to disperse protesters asking them to change the place of protests in order to open the traffic, but they refused underlining the need to meet with the PM Ouyahia.

 Protesters denounced statements by representatives of Algiers who said there are political parties which tried to exploit the situation, asserting that their demands are legitimate and have nothing to do with politics.

In a letter sent to the Algerian President Bouteflika, the protesters demand  wage increase with retroactive effect as from 2008, like the other corps of security.

They have also expressed their refusal of Interior Ministry decision on their redeployment, appealing to the officialization of the corps and promulgation of its status.