A-Infos (en) Algeria: Repression of unemployed workers in Ouargla (ca)

On 2nd January last there were serious clashes during a demonstration organized by the 
national committee for the defense of the rights of the unemployed (CNDDC), part of the 
SNAPAP union. ---- For an hour, right in the city centre, police used teargas and batons 
to disperse demonstrators, making several arrests. --- Beginning in the morning, hundreds 
of unemployed youths blocked the city centre of the town of Ouargla to protest against the 
poor management of employment in this oil town in the south of the country, --- Roads were 
closed to traffic and most shops and cafes closed. Demands included the dismissal of all 
local employment leaders ââas well as the Labour Minister, Tayeb Louh, and the setting up 
by the government of a crisis office to start a dialogue with the unemployed workers.

When protesters blocked the traffic, police forces were brutally launched against the 
protesters in order to restore circulation.

Arrest of Tahar Belabes

Tahar Belabes, Coordinator of the National Commission for the rights of the unemployed, 
part of SNAPAP, was arrested on Wednesday afternoon in the doorway of his home. Tahar was 
not arrested during the demonstration in the morning - police were waiting for him to 
return home before arresting him.
He was released 3 days later, awaiting trial.

Who is Tahar Belabes?

Tahar Belabes has had a hard life since childhood. After the death of his father during a 
pilgrimage to Mecca, his only brother committed suicide, leaving Tahar with his family, 
devoid of any kind of resource and living in great poverty.
He spent years looking for a job without success to help support his family and the doors 
closed to him made him aware of the injustice and inequality that thousands of young 
people who are in the same condition as him live in. He joined with other young unemployed 
people to demand a dignified life with access to employment for all.

Tahar Belabes is not a criminal - he is a young man who has become conscious because of 
his own life experience.

Working group for North Africa International Relations Secretariat CGT

Translation by FdCA-International Relations Office

Related Link:
http://rojoynegro.info/articulo/sin-fronteras/argelia-represi%C3%B3n-ls-parads-ouargla
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