Algeria

Region: Northern Africa Regional Economic Communities (REC): AMU

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• AMU

Approximately 30% of Algeria’s workforce is employed in the informal sector.

Key indicators:

• Self-employment: 29.6% of total employment
• Labour force not covered by social security: 63.3%

Workers in the informal economy often face:

• Precarious working conditions
• Low wages
• Limited legal protection

Migrant workers, particularly from sub-Saharan Africa, are especially vulnerable to exploitation and discrimination.

Source: Labour Market Report Algeria (2020) https://www.ulandssekretariatet.dk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/LMR-Algeria-2020-final-version1.pdf

Algeria has a mixed legal system, influenced by:

• Civil law traditions
• Elements of Islamic law

The country has experienced periods of social unrest, shaped by:

• Post-conflict recovery following the 1990s
• Economic stabilisation through oil and gas revenues

The constitutional framework is defined by the 2020 Constitution.

Source: Constitution of Algeria (2020) https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Algeria_2020

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Constitutional protections

• Article 69:
  • Right to workplace safety, hygiene, and social security
  • Right to rest

• Article 70:
  • Recognition of trade union rights

• Article 71:
  • Right to strike

Source: Constitution of Algeria (2020) https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Algeria_2020

Labour law framework

Labour Law No. 22-16 of 20 July 2022 (replacing Law No. 90-11 of 1990):

Provides:

• Protection against discrimination (sex, race, colour, national origin)
• Equal pay for men and women
• Maternity protection
• Protection of trade union members from dismissal

Additional feature:

• Employees may take leave to start a business while retaining social security coverage

Trade union regulation

Law No. 23-02 (2023):

• Strengthens trade union representation
• Allows the most representative unions to participate in tripartite consultations

Social protection framework

Décret exécutif n° 18-227 (2018):

• Establishes the structure and functioning of the National Council of Social Mutuality
• Forms part of broader social protection reform

Source: Décret exécutif n° 18-227 du 24 septembre 2018

Additional analysis:

https://www.chathamhouse.org/2023/11/reforming-algerias-social-protection-system/02-overview-welfare-state-algeria

ILO framework

Algeria has ratified key ILO conventions, including:

• Convention No. 87 (Freedom of Association)
• Convention No. 98 (Collective Bargaining)
• Convention No. 144 (Tripartite Consultation)
• Convention No. 135 (Workers’ Representatives)

Source: U.S. Department of State (2023) https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/algeria/

National Employment Strategy

• Encourages formalisation of informal enterprises
• Includes social protection initiatives such as:
  • Zakat programmes (community-based support mechanisms)

National Employment Policy (2008)

• Focuses primarily on reducing unemployment
• Limited direct focus on informal economy protection

Source: Ministry of Labour http://www.mtess.gov.dz

Social Development Agency (ADS) (1996)

Established under:

• Executive Decree No. 96-232 of 29 June 1996
• Amended by Executive Order No. 03-241 of 2 July 2003

Functions:

• Poverty reduction
• Employment creation
• Social inclusion

Programmes include:

• Pre-employment contracts
• Rural employment schemes
• Community-based work programmes

National Agency for Management of Microcredit (ANGEM) (2004)

Established under:

• Executive Decree No. 04-14 of 22 January 2004

Purpose:

• Provide microcredit to low-income populations
• Support entrepreneurship
• Reduce informality

Source: European Training Foundation (2014) https://www.etf.europa.eu/sites/default/files/m/3F6D27A7987C47FEC1257CE60024C937_Employment%20policies_Algeria.pdf

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Act No. 2001-19 of 12 December 2001 (Waste Management Law)

• Governs:
  • Collection
  • Transport
  • Processing of waste

• Waste services are paid services (Art. 36)
• Implementation governed by regulatory measures

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Act No. 14-05 of 24 February 2014 (Mining Law)

• Applies to:
  • Geological research
  • Exploration and exploitation of mineral resources

• Excludes:
  • Water resources
  • Hydrocarbon deposits

• Requires:
  • Geological data reporting (Arts. 31–33)

• Applies within:
  • Public water domain
  • National forest domain (subject to additional legislation)

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• IIAG – Algeria: https://iiag.online/locations/dz.html
• Labour Market Report Algeria (2020)
• European Training Foundation (2014)
• U.S. Department of State (2023)
• Constitution of Algeria (2020)
• Décret exécutif n° 18-227 (2018)
• Chatham House (2023)
• Ministry of Labour (2008)
• Executive Decree No. 96-232 (1996)
• Executive Decree No. 04-14 (2004)