March 8: Women Trade Unionists in Algeria Between Courage and Repression

🗓️ Published on: 07/03/2026

Algerian Women and Trade Union Struggles within Independent Unions

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Trade Union Confederation of Productive Forces (COSYFOP) extends its respect and solidarity to all Algerian working women, and particularly to women trade unionists active in independent unions who continue to defend dignity, labour rights, and social justice despite mounting administrative and judicial pressures.

Throughout Algeria’s modern history, women have played a decisive role in struggles for freedom and social justice. Their contribution has not been limited to the political or civic sphere; it has also been deeply rooted in workplaces and trade union organizing. In recent years, women have increasingly emerged as a central force within independent unions, defending workers’ rights in both public institutions and the private sector while challenging the entrenched culture of silence surrounding abuses in the workplace.

Independent Women Trade Unionists Facing Judicial Pressure

However, this commitment to union activism has come at a significant cost. Many independent women trade unionists have increasingly become targets of judicial harassment and disciplinary proceedings aimed at discouraging them from exercising their legitimate right to organize and to defend their colleagues. Administrative and legal mechanisms are often used to exert pressure on the most active women within trade union movements , with the clear objective of isolating their voices and weakening solidarity in the workplace..

These practices not only undermine the rights of women trade unionists themselves; they also create a climate of fear in professional environments. In many cases, this situation allows perpetrators of workplace abuses to escape accountability. One particularly alarming consequence is the persistence of sexual harassment in workplaces, where many women workers still hesitate to report abuses due to the lack of effective protection for complainants and the weakness of investigation mechanisms.

Rising Violence Against Women: A Disturbing Trend

Violence against women is not limited to workplaces. It also extends into the broader social and family environment. During the first two months of 2026—January and February—the Trade Union Confederation of Productive Forces documented three cases of femicide involving women killed in contexts linked to gender-based violence.

Among these tragic cases was the killing of a sixteen-year-old girl by her own father after she had filed a complaint regarding domestic violence. Her complaint was reportedly not taken seriously by the authorities, a devastating failure that ultimately cost her life.

These painful incidents reveal serious shortcomings in the legal and social protection systems meant to safeguard women and girls. They highlight the urgent need to strengthen prevention mechanisms, ensure early intervention, and guarantee that complaints related to domestic violence and gender-based violence are treated with the seriousness they require.

COSYFOP’s Women Workers Committee: Organizing and Mobilizing

As part of its efforts to strengthen women’s participation within its structures, the Women Workers Committee of COSYFOP recently held a coordination meeting in Algiers to assess the situation of women workers and women trade unionists across different sectors.

The meeting provided an opportunity for participants to exchange experiences, discuss the challenges faced by women in workplaces and within trade union activism, and identify priorities for the coming period. The discussions resulted in a series of demands reflecting the urgent need to reinforce legal and social protections for women workers.

Trade Union Demands to Protect Women Workers

In line with its social and trade union responsibilities, the Trade Union Confederation of Productive Forces reaffirms that defending the rights of women workers is an integral part of the broader struggle for social justice and human dignity. The confederation therefore calls for:

• An end to disciplinary actions and judicial harassment targeting women trade unionists because of their legitimate union activities.
• The establishment of safe working environments that protect women from harassment and all forms of violence.
• Stronger complaint and investigation mechanisms within workplaces to ensure protection for victims and whistleblowers.
• Serious and immediate responses to complaints of domestic violence, along with effective protection for women and girls at risk.

Statement from the President of the Confederation

In this context, the President of the Trade Union Confederation of Productive Forces, Raouf Mellal, stressed that defending the rights of women workers is a central priority of independent trade union action and that the struggle for equality and dignity cannot be separated from the struggle for trade union freedom.

He stated:

"International Women’s Day is not merely a symbolic occasion. It is a reminder that rights are won through persistent struggle. In Algeria, independent women trade unionists remain at the forefront of this fight, defending equality and justice both in the workplace and in society as a whole."

A Continuing Struggle for Dignity and Equality

On this occasion, the Trade Union Confederation of Productive Forces renews its full commitment to supporting the struggles of women workers and to working alongside independent unions to build fairer and more equitable workplaces—where women’s dignity, safety, and full participation in trade union and social life are genuinely respected.