Demonstration in support of Algeria

On 16 May, the government revoked the legal status of the SNATEG energy union, in violation of international standards and Algerian laws. SNATEG has been heavily involved in challenging the anti-union practices of the national energy company SONELGAZ. In retaliation for peaceful trade union actions in March and April 2017, 93 trade unionists were suspended and 663 were threatened with punitive actions. SNATEG president Raouf Mellal was suspended and sentenced to six months imprisonment for denouncing the corruption and massive fraud organized by SONELGAZ that overcharged the energy bills of eight million Algerians for nearly a decade.

In 2013, the Autonomous General Confederation of Workers in Algeria (CGATA) submitted a formal application for registration, but until now it has still not received formal recognition from the government. According to Algerian law, such a procedure should not take more than 30 days.

In 2001, SNAPAP was obliged to file a complaint with the International Labour Organization (ILO). In 2012, five autonomous unions joined the SNAPAP complaint. This procedure is still in progress.

After every International Labour Conference, the union reports continuing repression and is increasingly pressured by the government.

For trade unionists and their international supporters, the ILO must effectively monitor its deliberations and decisions in order to ensure that the Algerian Government is obliged to allow workers to exercise their fundamental rights – this is the reason ILO was established.

We request:

• registration and official recognition of CGATA and all independent trade union organisations;
• The reinstatement of all trade unionists dismissed and suspended because of their trade union involvement and the abandonment of all legal proceedings;
• The involvement and effective follow-up of the ILO.

JOIN THE DEMONSTRATION TUESDAY 13 JUNE 13:00
PLACE DES NATIONS, GENEVA