Algerian Workers Risk Health, Protest Government Crackdown with Hunger Strike

May 31, 2012

After more than three weeks on a hunger strike to protest government repression of the independent trade union movement, six women and two men from Algeria’s National Federation of Justice Workers are increasingly frail and face grave, possibly permanent, health threats. A ninth worker suspended his hunger strike. ACT NOW!

One of the women strikers, Leila Aberkane, is hospitalized in critical condition. Having lost consciousness and suffering neurological and skin conditions, she was rushed to the emergency room on May 25. Doctors also have had to resuscitate three other women strikers—Nadia Derouiche, Zahia Boutaoui, and Fouzia Bouziani. The health of all is rapidly deteriorating.

“These courageous women and men are using the ultimate means of action available to them by going on a hunger strike so as to make their voices heard,” said Nassira Ghozlane, secretary-general of the National Independent Union of Public Administration Personnel (SNAPAP). “They have reached a stage of severe physical deterioration and can hardly speak.”

The hunger strike has its roots in the decision by justice workers to reject a union created by the Ministry of Justice and to obtain representation by the National Federation of Justice Workers, affiliated with SNAPAP. When Justice Ministry officials rejected the workers’ choice, the federation staged a general strike in April, which was subsequently repressed by security forces.

Women workers, who are at the forefront of the growing movement for democratic rights in the workplace and society, comprise the majority of courthouse workers and are facing the brunt of the crackdown. They have been subjected to violence, arrests, suspension, and harassment over recent months. On April 24, more than 150 women were wounded at a peaceful demonstration. In addition, the government replaced more than 500 court clerks with other court employees in violation of Algerian law and International Labor Organization conventions.

The workers’ demands are:

  • End repression against and harassment of trade unionists
  • Revise the special statutes governing judicial officials
  • Extension of benefits

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) is calling for an end to the repression.

“We are very concerned that the health of the hunger strikers is deteriorating rapidly,” said ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow. “We ask the Algerian government to step back from its policy of confrontation, accept that these workers have the right to form and join their own trade union, and negotiate a comprehensive solution to the complaints they have raised. First and foremost, any justice ministry should itself operate on the basis of justice, in accordance with international law.”

Ghozlane is appealing for solidarity from fellow women workers.

“As the Secretary-General of SNAPAP, member of the National Bureau of Women’s Committee, and representative of the group in support of the hunger strikers, I appeal to all organizations, all women’s committees, and all women activists to take tangible action in solidarity with the hunger strikers,” she said in a prepared statement.

Worker Rights Endangered in Greece

Feb 7, 2012

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has condemned the attacks on worker rights in the current demands being made of the Greek government by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The international trade union movement has urged all parties to engage instead in a genuine dialogue that could build a consensus-based economic recovery in Greece.

The IMF and the European Union are pressuring, among other conditions, for deregulation of worker rights in the private sector, enhanced wage flexibility including reductions in the minimum wage, legislative changes to facilitate employment reductions, and other forms of interference in freely determined collective bargaining processes.

“This is totally unacceptable for the ITUC,” stated ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow. “Legitimate social dialogue and internationally recognized worker rights have been cast aside. Far from achieving a jobs recovery, this is going to condemn Greece to years more austerity accompanied by a rise in unemployment, informality, and insecurity in the workplace.”

In a letter sent to the IMF, the International Labor Organization, and the Greek authorities, the ITUC is asking the organizations involved and the government to cease attempting to impose the current reforms and to seek instead a productive dialogue based upon a pro-growth strategy to build a consensus-based recovery in Greece.

“The international institutions and the Greek government are destroying social dialogue, collective agreements and job and income security,” added Burrow. “They are destroying the base of democracy. The ITUC stands with workers in Greece and everywhere where worker rights are under attack.”

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