Authorities in Algeria have uncovered nearly 500 violations of labour laws in the construction and public works sector in Oran, exposing serious breaches of workers’ rights and safety regulations.
The Labour Inspectorate confirmed that it has referred the cases to the courts, with company bosses and workshop managers among those directly implicated.
Offences range from failing to provide employment contracts and neglecting to register workers with social security, to severe lapses in health and safety standards on construction sites.
Local unions strongly condemned what they described as a “normalization” of these practices, arguing that the widespread abuses not only undermine workers’ rights but also degrade the overall quality of work.
One of the most pressing concerns raised by officials is the heavy reliance on cascading subcontracting, much of it informal, which makes monitoring extremely difficult and dilutes accountability.
While judicial authorities have pledged to impose strict sanctions, rights groups argue that actual convictions remain rare and preventive measures are sorely lacking.
The findings point to a deeper structural challenge within Algeria’s labour market. Analysts highlight a system marked by informality, a poorly resourced inspectorate, and government priorities tilted more toward announcing major infrastructure projects than ensuring decent working conditions for the workforce tasked with delivering them.
The revelations cast a shadow over the construction and public works industry, often promoted as a key engine of growth and employment. Critics warn that without serious reforms and tougher enforcement, the sector risks entrenching exploitation rather than driving sustainable development.
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