Workers at the Akhenak brick factory in Seddouk, Algeria, have been on an indefinite strike since last Wednesday, demanding payment of their outstanding salaries. The 115 workers, mostly fathers of families, have not received their monthly salaries for three months, coinciding with the approaching Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha and the upcoming back-to-school season. Their union representative stated that this situation is a recurring problem, particularly before religious holidays.
The brick factory, a subsidiary of the Algerian Construction Materials Products Company (APMC), specializes in brick production but has faced financial difficulties due to a lack of markets. According to the union representative, no bricks have been produced at the factory for three months. Despite being renovated and reopened in July 2017 with significant state financial support, the factory continues to struggle.
The APMC, formerly known as SOMACOB, operates seven production units across the Béjaïa province. In response to the workers' strike, the administrative head of these units expressed his inability to address the situation directly. However, he proposed a temporary solidarity measure among the units to provide assistance to the striking workers, on the condition that they agree to repay the collected funds.
The administrative head also mentioned that the APMC's general management, based in Algiers, is exploring the possibility of securing a bank loan to pay the workers' outstanding salaries. This approach comes as the workers face significant expenses related to the upcoming holidays and the new school year.
The strike at the Seddouk brick factory is not an isolated incident. Last year, workers at the same factory and another unit in Remila went on strike for the same reason – unpaid salaries. The recurring nature of this issue highlights the ongoing challenges faced by workers in Algeria's state-owned enterprises.
The workers' union representative emphasized the urgent need for intervention from the company's general management to resolve the salary payment issue. The representative stressed that the workers are eager to receive their salaries and resume work, but the lack of payment has left them with no choice but to go on strike.
As the strike continues, the workers are facing significant financial hardship. With the support of their union and the proposed measures from the company's management, they hope to find a resolution to their situation soon. The outcome of the negotiations and the potential bank loan will likely determine the future of the factory and its employees.
Key points
- The workers have not received their monthly salaries for three months.
- The factory has not produced any bricks for three months due to financial difficulties.
- The company's management is exploring a bank loan to pay the workers' outstanding salaries.
