International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
ITUC OnLine

Brussels, 28 February 2012 (ITUC OnLine): Forty unionised contract teachers affiliated to the SNAPAP have been arrested in Algeria. The president and general secretary of the National Council of Contract Teachers have also been arrested. The ITUC has firmly condemned this attack on legitimate trade union rights

According to the reports received by the ITUC, the arrests were made on 26 February at 2.30 p.m. during a sit-in outside the presidential building. The trade unionists wanted to protest against a series of tough measures for teachers being taken by the National Education Minister.

"It is unacceptable that peaceful trade unionists be arrested for exercising their legitimate right to protest," said ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow. "We urge the Algerian government to take every action necessary to ensure their immediate release."

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ENDS