A New International Milestone for Algeria’s Independent Trade Union Movement

🗓️Published on: 16/07/2026

The Algerian Union of Public Services Joins Public Services International, Strengthening Trade Union Organisation and Global Solidarity

The Algerian Union of Public Services, affiliated with the Trade Union Confederation of Productive Forces and known by the acronym UASP–COSYFOP, has officially joined Public Services International (PSI), one of the world’s largest global union federations representing workers across public service sectors.

The affiliation took effect on 29 June 2026, according to documents issued by Public Services International. These documents confirm UASP–COSYFOP’s rights as an affiliated organisation, including participation in PSI activities, statutory meetings and congresses, as well as involvement in the work of its governing bodies.

This affiliation marks an important step towards building an independent national trade union framework bringing together unions across Algeria's public services, strengthening their capacity to defend workers' occupational, social and trade union rights at both national and international levels.

A Union Bringing Together Public Service Sectors

The Algerian Union of Public Services brings together national and sectoral unions, federations and trade union committees operating across a wide range of public service sectors.

Its main affiliates include the National Autonomous Union of Electricity and Gas Workers, the Independent Union of Postal Workers, the National Union of Nursing Assistants, the National Union of Culture Sector Workers, the National Union of Seasonal Forestry Workers, the National Federation of Public Works and Housing Sector Workers and the National Union of Municipal Workers, alongside specialised trade union committees and other organisations active throughout the country.

Through its affiliated organisations, the Union represents approximately 5,000 members across several provinces and occupational sectors.

UASP–COSYFOP was established to provide an independent, effective framework capable of organising sectoral unions in public services — coordinating their activities, protecting their members, developing organisational capacity through training, making their voices heard internationally, and adopting common positions on the issues affecting workers.

Solidarity Between Trade Unionists Inside and Outside Algeria and the Continuity of Trade Union Status

The Algerian Union of Public Services is founded on a core principle: the unity and continuity of the trade union movement. It seeks to strengthen solidarity between trade union activists and leaders inside Algeria and those based abroad, recognising them as members of a single organisation who share the same objectives, regardless of where they live.

Arbitrary dismissal is frequently used to remove trade union leaders from their workplaces. Their dismissal is then invoked as a pretext to challenge the legitimacy of their representation or to justify refusing to engage with their organisations. The experience of Algeria's independent trade unions has shown that the targeting of trade union leaders is no longer limited to restricting their activities. It now takes various forms, all ultimately aimed at weakening trade union organisations and influencing their leadership.

The Independent Union of Postal Workers provides a clear example of this practice. Newly appointed leaders continued to face the same pressure even after replacing colleagues who had been dismissed, demonstrating that the real objective was not merely to target particular individuals, but to weaken the trade union organisation itself. Judicial proceedings and prison sentences are also used to disrupt trade union activity, prevent leaders from communicating with workers, and halt organising and recruitment efforts within their sectors. The case of trade unionist Ali Mammeri clearly illustrates this pattern.

Pressure and persecution have also forced a number of trade unionists to leave the country and seek protection or asylum abroad. Their residence outside Algeria is then used as a pretext to question their eligibility to continue leading their organisations, even though their departure was a direct consequence of the violations they suffered because of their legitimate trade union activities.

In response to these realities, the Union affirms in its statutes that arbitrary dismissal, imprisonment or political asylum, when linked to the exercise of legitimate trade union activity, does not in itself result in the loss of trade union status or the termination of an organisational mandate.

The consequences of violations committed against trade unionists must never become a means through which employers, public administrations or state authorities can influence the selection of workers’ representatives or reshape trade union leadership. The continuation or termination of a trade union mandate remains governed exclusively by the Union’s statutes and by the decisions of its elected bodies, within the framework of internal democratic processes. The purpose of this principle is not to entrench individuals in office or shield them from democratic accountability. Its purpose is to protect the independence of trade union decision-making and to prevent external actors from influencing the composition of trade union leadership through dismissal, imprisonment, prosecution or forced exile.

This new approach to trade union organisation, which remains innovative across the Arab region as a whole, is based on genuine complementarity between the roles of trade unionists inside and outside Algeria. Leaders and activists working inside the country ensure the Union’s direct presence among workers and in the workplace. Those based abroad place their experience, international networks and capacity to engage with trade union, human rights, regional and international organisations at the service of the trade union movement and the defence of their colleagues inside Algeria. Neither side replaces the other. All work within a single organisation and pursue a shared vision.

This principle was one of the main motivations behind the establishment of the Union. Years of arbitrary dismissal, judicial prosecution, imprisonment and forced exile have weakened many workers’ confidence in trade union activism and reinforced the perception that activists may be abandoned once they become targets of retaliation.

The Union therefore seeks to establish a new organisational culture based on loyalty to its activists and a commitment not to abandon them when they face violations. It seeks to preserve their connection with their trade union organisations and to continue defending their rights, both inside Algeria and before regional and international institutions.

Solidarity between trade unionists inside and outside the country is therefore more than an ethical value. It is an organisational and legal safeguard that protects the independence of trade union activity and ensures the continuity of Algeria’s independent trade union movement in the face of all forms of repression and obstruction.

International Affiliation as a Practical Instrument

The Algerian Union of Public Services views its affiliation with Public Services International as a practical instrument for strengthening independent trade unionism in Algeria, North Africa and the Middle East.

Membership in a global union federation creates new opportunities for all Algerian unions affiliated with UASP–COSYFOP in the areas of training, organising, the exchange of experiences and cross-border solidarity. It also enables them to participate in international campaigns defending public services and workers’ rights.

The affiliation provides an additional channel through which violations against trade unionists can be brought to the attention of international trade union organisations and referred to the mechanisms available within the International Labour Organization, the United Nations, and regional and international human rights institutions.

This international dimension is particularly important in the Algerian context, where independent trade union activity has faced administrative, legal and security-related obstacles for many years. Numerous trade unionists and organisations have been subjected to restrictions and reprisals for exercising legitimate trade union rights.

Partnerships That Strengthen Sectoral Unions

UASP–COSYFOP believes that effective international support must extend beyond training sessions and occasional statements of solidarity. Its purpose should be to help build strong and sustainable unions capable of organising workers and maintaining a genuine presence in the workplace.

The Union will draw on PSI’s experience in trade union development, strategic planning, membership growth, leadership training and the promotion of the participation of women and young people in trade union activity.

It also seeks to strengthen cooperation with PSI affiliates across the Arab region and around the world. These partnerships will be based on mutual solidarity and the exchange of experiences, with a focus on lasting cooperation rather than formal or occasional relationships.

The Union’s central objective is to help build and strengthen genuine sectoral unions based on an active membership, elected structures and clear programmes. These organisations must have the capacity to defend their members and achieve a tangible organisational impact within Algeria. International membership gains its true value when it contributes to stronger organisation, greater worker participation and more effective representation on the ground.

Compliance with Legal Procedures and Notification of the Ministry of Labour

The Algerian Union of Public Services has taken the necessary steps to comply with the legal procedures governing affiliation with an international trade union organisation.

On 10 July 2026, an official notification was submitted to the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security pursuant to Article 58 of Law No. 23-02 on the exercise of trade union rights.

The notification included the date of affiliation with Public Services International, information on the nature of the Union, the number of members it represents, a list of its affiliated trade union organisations and the documents confirming its international affiliation.

The Union’s compliance with national legal procedures does not prevent it from criticising restrictions on freedom of association or calling for the amendment of provisions that fail to meet international labour standards. This applies particularly to the principles established by the International Labour Organization’s Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87), and the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98).

Through the Trade Union Confederation of Productive Forces, the Union will continue to inform the ILO’s supervisory bodies about the state of freedom of association in Algeria and about violations affecting its independent affiliated unions and their leaders.

An Invitation to Algeria’s Public Service Unions

The Algerian Union of Public Services is open to independent unions and professional organisations operating across the public services, particularly in health, education, vocational training, local government, labour inspection, postal services, telecommunications, energy, culture, forestry, housing and public works.

The Union respects the full independence of every sectoral organisation, including its statutes, internal decisions and democratically elected structures. Its purpose is to strengthen coordination between unions, provide an international dimension to their work and create a common framework for support, solidarity and collective action.

Experience in Algeria has shown that small or isolated unions face considerable difficulties when challenging administrative decisions, defending their members or gaining access to social dialogue institutions. These difficulties become even greater when unions are subjected to pressure or measures threatening their legal and organisational existence.

Working within an organised trade union structure supported by an extensive international network creates opportunities to pool expertise and resources, coordinate positions and strengthen the capacity to negotiate, advocate and defend workers’ rights.

UASP–COSYFOP remains firmly committed to trade union pluralism as a fundamental right. At the same time, it encourages independent unions—particularly in education, health and the public sector—to overcome the fragmentation that continues to weaken workers’ collective capacity. The Union was established precisely to help create genuine structures for coordination and unity among independent organisations that share the same principles and objectives.

Trade Union Solidarity Within Algeria and Beyond

The Algerian Union of Public Services will develop mechanisms of solidarity for trade unionists facing criminal prosecution, dismissal from employment or restrictions on their right to engage in trade union activities.

Under the umbrella of the Trade Union Confederation of Productive Forces and in cooperation with its international partners, the Union will continue to bring cases of trade union violations before the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association, the United Nations special procedures, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other competent bodies.

Bringing trade union cases before international institutions is a legitimate avenue of redress when domestic remedies are closed, unavailable or incapable of providing effective protection.

International solidarity reinforces trade union action inside Algeria. It provides protection and support and helps prevent independent unions from being isolated or silenced without attracting the attention of national and international public opinion.

Ready for Dialogue with the Ministry of Labour

Through the Trade Union Confederation of Productive Forces, the Algerian Union of Public Services reiterates its readiness to engage in serious and responsible dialogue with the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security. Such dialogue should address the situation of independent unions affiliated with UASP–COSYFOP, the implementation of Law No. 23-02, the criteria governing trade union representativeness and the equal participation of different organisations in social dialogue.

Stable labour relations within the public services require genuine recognition of trade union pluralism, respect for organisational independence and an end to discriminatory treatment. Trade unions also have a responsibility to overcome the current fragmentation that weakens workers’ ability to defend their interests.

Effective social dialogue requires the participation of workers’ genuine representatives in decisions affecting their professional and social conditions. It loses credibility when participation is limited to organisations selected on the basis of political loyalty, or when administrative recognition of representativeness and security measures are used to penalise and exclude independent unions.

Statement by the Union President

President of the Algerian Union of Public Services and the Trade Union Confederation of Productive Forces, Raouf Mellal, said:

“The affiliation of the Algerian Union of Public Services with Public Services International marks the beginning of a new phase in our trade union journey. It places a major responsibility on us towards our affiliated unions and towards workers across the public services. We will work to build a strong union that supports the development of its member organisations, strengthens their organisational capacity, defends their members’ rights and opens new opportunities for cooperation with the international trade union movement.”

He added:

“I invite independent unions in health, education, labour inspection, local government, postal services, energy, culture, housing and all other public service sectors to join this project. Our objective is to unite efforts and improve coordination while fully respecting the independence of each trade union organisation. The Union will provide a framework for support, coordination and solidarity. It will help unions make their voices heard and benefit from international experience and networks.”

Mellal also confirmed that the Union would continue to comply with national legislation while advocating reforms that bring it into line with International Labour Organization standards:

“We are open to dialogue with the Ministry of Labour and all relevant institutions. We believe that serious and responsible dialogue can resolve many misunderstandings and help address the challenges facing the trade union movement, in a way that serves workers’ interests and contributes to social stability.”

A New Phase for Independent Trade Unionism

The affiliation of the Algerian Union of Public Services with Public Services International represents an important step in the reorganisation of Algeria’s independent trade union movement.

The significance of this achievement will ultimately be measured by the Union’s ability to turn international membership into effective organisation on the ground, stronger protection for trade unionists, membership growth, the development of sectoral unions and genuine solidarity between trade unionists inside Algeria and those continuing their trade union work from abroad.

International recognition can provide valuable support and protection. The strength of every trade union federation, however, rests first and foremost on workers’ trust, democratic structures, independent decision-making and a genuine presence in the workplace.