A significant demonstration took place in Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria, as workers affiliated with the local UGTA union marched through the city to demand changes within the union. The protest began at the 1st November stadium, where participants gathered in the morning. Local UGTA officials and secretaries general of various syndical sections joined the march, which proceeded along Boulevard Lamali Ahmed. The event saw substantial female participation, a trend observed in recent protests in the region.
The march, organized into several groups, continued along Boulevard Abane Ramdane, with protesters chanting slogans that called for the departure of Abdelmadjid Sidi Said, the current secretary general of UGTA, and his national secretariat. The protesters sought to assert their demands for respect for popular will and the cleansing of UGTA. According to the local union's first responsible person, one of the primary demands was the immediate resignation of Sidi Said and his entire national secretariat.
The protesters expressed their determination to reclaim their UGTA, rejecting initiatives led by Sidi Said, particularly the upcoming national congress of the union. The local union reaffirmed its support for the ongoing peaceful and popular movement in Algeria, advocating for radical changes in the system. Chants such as "Yetnahaw gaâ," "Klitou leblad ya saraqin," and "Saimoun, saimoun, lilhirak mouwasiloun" echoed throughout the march.
A sit-in was observed at the end of the march, accompanied by several speeches. The speakers demanded a "UGTA of workers," a union that would be democratic, free, social, and reivindicative. This protest was complemented by a general strike called by the local UGTA union, which paralyzed various institutions and enterprises across different sectors in Tizi-Ouzou. Postal agencies, banks, and the OPGI were among those affected.
The strike had a significant impact on several key businesses, including the cotton company (formerly Cotitex) in Drâa Ben Khedda and the SNLB in Taboukert. During the gathering, local union officials noted that a petition was currently circulating among workers to collect one million signatures in support of immediate changes at the head of UGTA.
The event highlighted the determination of workers in Tizi-Ouzou to push for reforms within UGTA. With slogans and chants, they made their demands clear, seeking a more democratic and representative union. The local union's stance reflects broader aspirations for change within Algeria's labor movement.
As the protest concluded, participants reiterated their commitment to achieving their goals, emphasizing the need for a new direction within UGTA. The involvement of various sectors and the substantial turnout underscore the significance of this movement, which appears to be part of a larger call for reform in Algeria.
Key points
- Workers in Tizi-Ouzou marched and went on strike to demand the resignation of UGTA's secretary general, Abdelmadjid Sidi Said.
- The protest was part of a broader movement calling for reforms within UGTA and the Algerian system.
- A general strike accompanied the march, affecting various institutions and enterprises across Tizi-Ouzou.
