A call for a strike has been issued by transport associations in Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria, in opposition to the mandatory professional certification for transporters. The strike, which began today, aims to paralyze passenger and goods transport in the region. The associations, supported by the Collectif d'appui à la micro entreprise (Came) and the Union générale des commerçants et artisans algériens (UGCAA), argue that the certification requirement is unnecessary and will cause significant financial losses.
The mandatory professional certification was decreed in May 2016 and published in the official journal in August of the same year, with implementation set for August. The certification requires a 15-day training program, which will be sanctioned by the issuance of a professional certificate for drivers of vehicles transporting people and goods. The associations claim that the training is unnecessary, despite its aim to improve safety for drivers and road users.
The transport associations argue that the certification requirement will harm their interests and that the cost of the training, set at 48,000 Algerian dinars per candidate, is unjustified. They also claim that the 15-day training period is too long and will cause significant financial losses due to the required work stoppage. The associations are calling for alternative measures that will improve services and benefit citizens.
The mandatory certification aims to improve safety for drivers and road users by providing professional knowledge and skills. The training program, which consists of 74 hours of instruction over 15 days, is designed to enhance the quality of services provided by transporters. However, the associations argue that the majority of transporters already have years of experience and that the training is therefore unnecessary.
In a letter addressed to the director of the wilaya's transport department, the associations outlined their reasons for rejecting the certification requirement. They argue that the training is impractical and that the cost is exorbitant. The associations also claim that the training period is too long and will cause significant financial losses.
The strike is supported by nine transport associations, which are calling for a re-evaluation of the certification requirement. The associations argue that alternative measures could be implemented to improve safety and services, rather than the mandatory certification. The situation remains tense, with no clear resolution in sight.
The Algerian government has not yet responded to the strike and the associations' demands. The outcome of the strike and the fate of the certification requirement remain uncertain. The transport associations have reiterated their commitment to finding a solution that benefits both transporters and citizens.
Key points
- Algerian transport associations have called for a strike over the mandatory professional certification requirement, which they argue is unnecessary and will cause significant financial losses.
