Algerian Guards Hold Sit-In for Suspended Pay

Photo Credit: El Watan

Algerian community guards in the province of Boumerdes held [French] a sit-in Tuesday outside their provincial headquarters to demand their pay from the month of June. The supplementary police force accused the government of suspending their pay because of their involvement in national protest marches demanding better salaries and benefits. After several hours of protesting, the group rose and marched to Boufarik to join other community guards and coordinate future actions.

Additionally, the Algerian Consumer Federation began [French] a boycott on red and white meat, set to last a week, to protest the soaring price of food in the country. Participation by federation members was around 30 percent, but the group has plans to boost those numbers to 50 or 60 percent, and will follow this first boycott with successive ones on vegetables and dried goods. The price for chicken in Algeria has nearly doubled in the past week, with mutton and beef prices rising beyond the reach of middle class consumers. The chief executive for the federation blamed the sharp increases on the “absence of public authorities” during Ramadan who normally try to control major fluctuations in price.

Algeria also rejected the Arab League call for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down, arguing that issues of sovereignty are beyond the council and can only be decided by the Syrian people. Iraq and Algeria were the only two members to reject the motion.