Hundreds of trade unionists protested, last Monday against the headquarters of the” General Union of Algerian Workers” because of its leadership support of the candidacy of the current President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, while the country is witnessing mass protests against his candidacy.
According to our unionists’ sources, the protesters raised slogans against the leadership of the "union", asking for its departure; because of its denial of the positions of millions of Algerians, who rejected the fifth term of the president, and the non-support of the union’s Secretary General, Abdel-Majid Sidi Said, the Algerians, who are against Bouteflika's candidacy, as well as, his denial of the Algerians’ aspirations.
In fact, on 24 February, the General Federation of Algerian Workers announced its commitment to Bouteflika's candidacy for a fifth term.
In the same context, “the Heads of Enterprise Forum”, the largest employers’ trade union in Algeria, witnessed the resignations of officials because of its positions in support of the fifth mandate of President Bouteflika. Since last Saturday, three prominent figures announced their resignation from the forum, including the union’s vice president, Mohammed Al-Eid Ben Omar, who froze his membership and financial contributions in the union.
Ben Omar stated that he regrets that the union has shifted from its principles.
Moreover, Hassan Khalifati, the owner of a private insurance company, froze his membership from the union, stating that it was supposed stand with the people and support the Friday protest of March.
Among the dismissed people, Mohammed Arzaki Abrakan, a member of the union and a head of a private company for the iron and steel industry.
It is noteworthy that the Heads of Enterprise Forum, which turned into a union in less than two months, is the largest organization of employers in Algeria and is headed by the businessman, Ali Haddad, one of the biggest financiers of Bouteflika's campaign.
#Union and labour protests against# the General Union of Algerian Workers and its leaders’ #betrayal of# the Algerian people’s aspirations
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