Some 14 independent education unions declared a three-day strike that began on Sunday, May 9 to denounce the “deterioration of the social situation” of teachers.
In the opinion of the president of the National Autonomous Union of Secondary and Technical Teachers, Meziane Meriane, the strike is “very well followed” across the country.
Despite the fast, elementary, middle and secondary school teachers, accompanied by central and technical administration officials, demonstrated to make their voices heard, as their standard of living only deteriorates and does not allow them more to take charge. Gatherings were held in front of the three departments of education in the wilaya of Algiers and in many other wilayas in the country.
“You know, there is a fed up. He is fed up. Salaries have not been revised since 2012 and therefore we have lost a lot of purchasing power since 2012 to date. We can say that we have lost over 50% of the purchasing power. The salaries do not even allow families to meet the needs for 15 days, or even less, ”lamented Meziane Meriane.
Teachers want, among other things, an increase in their salaries, the regularization of contract teachers or a complete overhaul of the compensation system.
The secretary general of the Algerian high school council, Zoubir Rouina, considered that “it is a shame in a country like Algeria with all its wealth and resources, that a teacher is reduced to claiming a salary that can preserve his dignity ”.
Meziane Meriane called for serious negotiations with the authorities, while declaring that “the ball is in the court of the public authorities”.
For several trade unionists, the strong mobilization of education workers underlines in more than one way that they are fed up with promises from the authorities and expect strong action from them.
It should be noted that recently, strikes are on the increase in Algeria, in various sectors of activity. The Hirak demonstrators who demand a civil status and not a military one with more democracy, employees of the post office, customs, national education, civil protection, health …
Faced with this situation through which this country is going, the reaction finally came from the Algerian army which has just threatened to crack down on the strikers and the “black sheep” against whom it wants to defend the country, accused of “destabilizing national security. “.
For example, the army, through its monthly magazine El Djeich, its official mouthpiece, in its May 2021 issue, threatened repression and accused workers of treason who claim their rights. She sent a stern warning to Algerian workers participating in the various strike movements currently shaking the country.
By OMA Newsletter N ° 263 of 05/10/2021
OMA, an NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
The enhancement of human potential
The promotion and consolidation of inter-African integration
Keywords: Education sector, Strike, Teachers
Country: Algeria
Geographical position: North Africa
