A major highway project in Algeria has been halted due to a dispute between workers and the Turkish-Algerian construction group ONE. The project, which began in 2014, aims to connect the city of Draâ El-Mizan to the East-West highway. However, workers have been protesting the termination of their contracts and unpaid wages. The project has faced several setbacks, including opposition from landowners and challenges related to the region's rugged terrain.
According to workers, they were informed by their supervisors that their contracts would be terminated, prompting a strong reaction from the workforce. The workers, who had been paid irregularly, demanded that they receive their outstanding wages and benefits before signing any documents. ONE's representatives attempted to persuade the workers to sign the contract terminations, citing empty coffers due to delayed payments from the government.
The workers, however, refused to back down, arguing that signing the contract terminations would deprive them of their right to protest and demand better working conditions. They insisted that they would only sign the documents once they received their outstanding payments. The dispute has resulted in 80% of workers being told they will be laid off, further complicating the already delayed project.
The highway project, which is crucial for the development of the region, has faced significant delays. Despite assurances from authorities, the project has made little progress. The workers' protest has brought the project to a standstill, with workers refusing to leave the construction site until their demands are met.
The workers have expressed frustration with the company's policies, which have resulted in reduced working hours and unpaid wages. Under the previous contract, workers were only paid for two months out of every four, with the rest of the time spent on unpaid leave. The company has also changed its rotation policy, imposing a 15-day work-15-day leave schedule.
Subcontractors and security personnel have also faced difficulties in receiving timely payments. The situation has sparked concerns that the project may not be completed anytime soon. The workers' protest highlights the challenges facing Algeria's infrastructure development projects, which are often plagued by delays and financing issues.
The dispute has left workers and local residents disappointed, who had been eagerly awaiting the completion of the highway project. The project's delays have significant implications for the region, which remains disconnected from the rest of the country. Authorities have yet to comment on the situation, but it is clear that finding a resolution to the dispute will be crucial to getting the project back on track.
Key points
- 80% of workers on the project are to be laid off.
