🗓️ Published on: 08/24/2025
On August 12, 2025, the U.S. Department of State released its annual Country Report on Human Rights Practices for Algeria, covering developments during 2024. The report underlines a worrying deterioration of fundamental freedoms, with particular concern over restrictions on independent trade unions and labor rights.
Spotlight on COSYFOP-Affiliated Unions COSYFOP
For the first time, the report explicitly referred to independent unions affiliated with the Trade Union Confederation of Productive Forces (COSYFOP), namely the National Autonomous Union for Public Administration Personnel (SNAPAP) and the National Autonomous Union of Electricity and Gas Workers (SNATEG).
The report also highlighted the case of Raouf Mellal,the President of COSYFOP, who was violently arrested during a peaceful protest in 2019 and subjected to ill-treatment by police officers during interrogation, before being sentenced to prison as retaliation for complaints filed against the government before ILO supervisory bodies.
The report also noted the official communication sent by UN experts to the Algerian authorities regarding his case, in which they considered it a flagrant violation of international standards on trade union freedoms.
U.S. Administration Gives Special Attention to Trade Union Rights in Algeria
This focus by the U.S. State Department on the trade union situation in Algeria underscores the central importance of union freedoms in assessing the country’s overall human rights record. It also reinforces international recognition of the legitimacy of independent unions’ struggles – particularly those affiliated with COSYFOP – which have consistently submitted complaints and reports to the International Labour Organization and UN bodies regarding the broader human rights situation in Algeria.
President's statement COSYFOP
In this context, Raouf Mellal, President of the Trade Union Confederation of Productive Forces (COSYFOP), stated:
“The fact that independent unions affiliated with COSYFOP – as well as my own case – were explicitly mentioned in the U.S. State Department’s 2024 report is a source of great encouragement for us. It reflects genuine international recognition of our legitimate struggle. We warmly welcome this attention and look with optimism to the U.S. administration to use its influence to encourage democratic opening in Algeria, especially regarding trade union freedoms and workers’ right to organize independently.”
A Call to Sustain International Solidarity
COSYFOP emphasizes that this report highlights the responsibility of the international community to monitor trade union developments in Algeria and to support independent unions in overcoming challenges, with the aim of establishing a pluralistic trade union system that protects workers’ rights and respects democratic principles.
You can access the full report from the U.S. State Department’s official website here
📬 Did you like this article? Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news and important information directly to your inbox.