Tizi Ouzou's Penetrating Road Project to East-West Highway Remains Stalled

The Tizi Ouzou penetrating road project to the East-West highway, connecting Tizi Ouzou and Bouira wilayas, has been stalled for 15 days. The halt is attributed to workers' demands for immediate payment of four months' unpaid salaries. The project is being carried out by the ONE group, comprising Ozgun, Nurol, and Engeoa. Workers are also concerned about the company's plan to lay off two-thirds of its workforce, approximately 800 employees.

The ONE group has set a deadline of March 20 to resolve the salary issue. However, workers remain uncertain about the layoff process, including the number of people to be laid off and the criteria for selection. A worker expressed concerns, stating that no list of affected employees has been displayed. The uncertainty has led to anxiety among workers, who are also worried about receiving their severance pay in case of layoffs.

Workers are not only concerned about their salaries but also about the benefits they will receive in case of layoffs. According to an agreement reached after a one-month strike last March, workers are entitled to one month's salary for each year worked if they are laid off at the end of their contract. If this clause is not respected, workers threaten to take further action. The situation has raised concerns about the project's future.

Recent reports suggest that the number of workers to be laid off may be reduced by 30%, making it lower than the initially planned 800. The financial struggles of the project also affect subcontractors, including 34 transport companies and security firms. Security agents have reportedly not received their payments, adding to the project's woes.

The stalled project has significant implications for the region. The project, which is only 40% complete, has already experienced substantial delays due to funding issues and opposition. Only the section from Oued Falli to La Casse on RN25 has been put into service. The project's progress is being closely watched by local residents and authorities.

According to La Dépêche de Kabylie, the project's base of operations in Draâ El-Mizan has been closed for 15 days, except for essential personnel such as security agents and administrative staff. The closure has disrupted the lives of workers and local communities, who are eagerly awaiting the project's completion.

The project's fate remains uncertain, with many questions still unanswered. While the ONE group has promised to resolve the salary issue by March 20, the layoff process and its implications continue to worry workers. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders are watching closely to see how the project will move forward.

Key points

• The Tizi Ouzou penetrating road project to the East-West highway has been stalled for 15 days due to unpaid salaries and potential layoffs.
• The project, 40% complete, has experienced significant delays due to funding issues and opposition.
• The ONE group's plan to lay off approximately 800 employees has raised concerns among workers about their severance pay and future.