Trucks lined up in Cape Town, South Africa. Photograph by Danie van der Merwe.
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Protests Over Pay in Algeria and South Africa
Unresolved wage disputes are likely to lead police auxiliaries in Algeria and truckers in South Africa to demonstrate in coming days or weeks.
Algeria: police auxillaries' rejection of government offer for compensation increases risk of protests
On September 24, Algerian media reported that police auxiliaries - known as the communal guards - had rejected a government offer of compensation; the guards refused to participate in further talks with the Interior Ministry on September 26.
Representatives of the 94,000 communal guards have called for demonstrations over inadequate compensation offered by the government. Protests have already begun in Tizi Ouzou, Bouria and other Kabylie towns, and the coming weeks are likely to see further demonstrations.
Protests are most likely to take place in front of provincial government buildings in Bejaia, Bouira, Khencela, Jijel, Tebessa, Tizi Ouzou and nearby provinces, increasing the risk of street fighting with security forces. Roadblocks are also likely across the Kabylie region, though deployment of police units usually result in these being removed within one day.
South Africa: truck drivers strike in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg
On September 24, South African Transport and Allied Workers' Union (SATAWU) affiliated truck drivers began a strike demanding a 12% wage increase for 2012 and 2013. Employers affiliated to the Road Freight Employers' Association (RFEA) have offered an 8.5% increase which has been rejected.
The dispute is unlikely to be resolved within the next few days and violence is likely to escalate. On September 26, violent incidents were reported in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Non-striking workers were intimidated and in several cases assaulted. Several cargo vehicles were damaged and set alight. The striking workers are determined in their demands, raising the risk of riots and the involvement of the security forces.
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