Growing Social Unrest in Algeria: Doctors and Teachers Protest Repression and Deteriorating Conditions
Algeria is currently experiencing a wave of social unrest as doctors and teachers voice their discontent over working conditions, salaries, and increasing restrictions on their rights to protest and organize. The government’s response, characterized by repression and a resistance to address the underlying issues, has only exacerbated the situation, raising concerns about the future of social and political freedoms in the country.
Hundreds of Algerian resident doctors, the equivalent of medical interns in France, gathered at the Mustapha-Pacha Hospital in Algiers on Wednesday, February 26th, to demonstrate against the mistreatment of their colleagues and demand improvements in their remuneration and overall working conditions. The protest was triggered by the violent assault on resident doctors at the University Hospital Center of Oran a few days prior, on February 23rd. Security personnel had prevented the doctors from accessing the hospital, where they intended to hold their weekly sit-in.
The resident doctors have been engaged in an open-ended strike since November 2024, seeking better compensation for their demanding work. Dania B., a young resident in internal medicine who traveled from Oran to participate in the national sit-in, expressed her outrage, stating, "It is unacceptable that doctors are being mistreated like this in a hospital." Ahmed N., a resident in otolaryngology who came from Tlemcen, echoed her sentiments, labeling the situation "intolerable."
The situation in Tlemcen has been particularly difficult for the striking doctors. Charaf Eddine Talhaoui, the representative of the striking medical students in the city, was arrested on February 3rd and subsequently placed in pre-trial detention. The decision was upheld on appeal on February 19th. The charges against him include "spreading false information," "disturbing public order," and "undermining the national interest." These accusations are seen by many as a blatant attempt to silence dissent and suppress the legitimate grievances of the medical residents.
The protesting resident doctors in Algiers declared their commitment to a "dignity strike" and condemned the government’s "routine judicial repression" and its refusal to listen to their demands. Their core demands include a 300% increase in their current monthly salary of 70,000 dinars (approximately 250 euros) and a significant increase in on-call allowances, which are currently capped at a meager 2,800 dinars (around 12 euros) for 12 hours of work.
The resident doctors argue that the current on-call allowance is "an insignificant amount" considering that they can work up to ten shifts per month in understaffed departments. Moreover, they point out that even this paltry sum is only paid for a maximum of six shifts. Other grievances include the non-payment of COVID-19 bonuses, promised since August 2022, and delays in the allocation of official housing, which is reserved for residents starting in their third year. The housing shortage forces residents to spend over 25,000 dinars (approximately 100 euros) per month on rent, representing nearly half of their monthly salary.
Adding to the frustration is the government’s decision to freeze the recognition of diplomas, a measure aimed at curbing the emigration of doctors abroad. This policy is seen by young doctors as a violation of their individual rights and further discourages them from remaining in the Algerian healthcare system. Since November 26, 2024, the residents have suspended all pedagogical and therapeutic activities, while continuing to provide emergency and night-shift care. They lament that "despite our unwavering dedication, especially during the pandemic, our efforts remain neither recognized nor valued."
The discontent is not limited to the healthcare sector. Teachers are also increasingly expressing their anger over their working conditions and the government’s handling of their concerns. Labor unions are contesting decrees that set the status, grades, and compensation of national education officials, which were published in the official gazette on January 22nd. Four independent unions – Cnapeste, Snapeste, CELA, and Majal – have condemned the government’s unilateral approach and called for compliance with presidential directives that promised to consider the demands of educators.
The unions argue that the new statutes are "disconnected" from the needs of the personnel and inadequate in addressing the declining purchasing power of teachers. Reflecting the growing "anger" within the teaching community, they have called for sit-ins across the wilayas (administrative divisions) and have not ruled out a general strike.
During one of these gatherings on February 24th in M’Sila, located 395 kilometers south of Algiers, two union leaders, Messaoud Boudiba and Tahar Habet, who had traveled to support the local movement, were arrested. Although released late that night, they were placed under judicial supervision the following day. The two unionists are now required to report to the Hammam Dhalaa court in M’Sila twice a week, hundreds of kilometers from their homes. They are also prohibited from speaking to the media and expressing their views on social media.
These restrictive measures have sparked outrage not only among their colleagues but also within the Front of Socialist Forces (FFS), a political party that expressed its support for the union leaders on February 26th. The FFS condemned "its deep anger at the arbitrary and repeated decisions aimed at limiting trade union action" and reaffirmed "its categorical opposition to any infringement of trade union rights and freedoms, guaranteed by the Constitution, whatever the reason invoked."
In response to the government’s actions, education unions are planning one-day strikes per week, while the Ministry of Education disputes their representativeness and the legality of their work stoppages. The ministry is relying on a law passed on April 25, 2023, and two decrees dated October 2023, which severely restrict the right to strike and trade union activity. These regulations impose a mandatory minimum service requiring the presence of at least 30% of the workforce in all sectors.
Haunted by the Hirak movement (2019-2020), a peaceful uprising calling for genuine political change, the Algerian government has embarked on an authoritarian crackdown that has resulted in the suppression of political life, the control of the media, and numerous arrests followed by prison sentences for individuals who simply posted critical comments on social media. In the face of emerging social protests, and against the backdrop of declining purchasing power, the government’s knee-jerk reaction remains repression. The ongoing unrest among doctors and teachers highlights the deep-seated issues facing Algerian society and the urgent need for a more responsive and inclusive approach to addressing the concerns of its citizens. The government’s continued reliance on repressive measures risks further escalating tensions and undermining the long-term stability of the country.
