Workers protests will not affect Sonatrach production, says minister

Recent protests of Sonatrach’s workers would not have a negative impact on production rhythm. Consultations started between the workers’ representatives and the company, said Algeria’s energy minister Youcef Yousfi on Thursday.

• “Response to the requests will depend on supports. They are reasonable and they will be examined with Sonatrach’s departments,” Youcefi said.
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• Speaking about Libya’s crisis, the minister said Sonatrach did not undergo any losses after it had stopped its activity temporarily. “The work is still in the exploration phase. Production has not started yet.”
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• Youcefi also said a call for tender on a project to build a cement factory in the province of Bechar (south of Algiers) which was launched in 2008 will be re-launched by Sonatrach. The company seeks to find foreign partners and launch the project will produce 1.5 million tons of cement.