Table of Contents
Algeria
Region: Northern Africa Regional Economic Communities (REC): AMU
→ View IIAG Country Statistics
| Indicator | Data |
|---|---|
| Governance (IIAG) | Overall Governance score: 55.7 / 100 · Rank: 18th / 54 |
PART 1 – HIGH-LEVEL COUNTRY MAPPING
Institutions and Stakeholder Database
(To be linked)
REC Membership
- AMU
Population size and size of the informal economy
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
Nature of the legal system and ILO status
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
(Content to be added: ILO membership year and DWCP details)
Workers’ rights in human rights system, national labour law / social protection and scope of protection
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:
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/
Existing laws, policy and regulatory initiatives for the protection of workers in the informal economy
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
PART 2 – SECTOR SPECIFIC REGULATION
Domestic Work Sector
(Content to be added)
Street Vendor
(Content to be added)
Waste Reclaiming
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
Home working
(Content to be added)
Gig Work and the Platform Economy
(Content to be added)
Farm Work
(Content to be added)
The Mining Sector and Artisanal Mining
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)
Taxi and Transport Sector (Gig-work/platform economy overlap)
(Content to be added)
Cross-Border Informal Trade
(Content to be added)
Sources / Links
- 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)
