Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Algeria (Ratification: 1962)

Article 2(1) of the Convention. Civic service. For several years, the Committee has been noting the incompatibility with the Convention of sections 32, 33, 34 and 38 of Act No. 84-10 of 11 February 1984 concerning civic service, as amended in 1986 and 2006. Under the aforementioned provisions, it is possible to require persons who have completed a course of higher education or training in branches or specializations considered a priority for the economic and social development of the country to perform a period of civic service ranging from one to four years before being able to exercise an occupation or obtain employment. In the event of refusal to perform civic service or resignation of the person concerned without valid reason, the law prohibits the person from self-employment, from setting up as a trader, artisan or promoter of private economic investment; any offence being punishable under section 243 of the Criminal Code (imprisonment of between three months and two years and/or a fine). In addition, private employers are required to ensure, prior to engaging any workers, that applicants are not subject to civic service or that they can produce documentation proving that they have completed it, and are liable to imprisonment and a fine if they knowingly employ a citizen who has evaded civic service. 

The Committee notes that the Government again indicates in its report that civic service is considered a motivating element for persons who have completed a course of higher education to serve the economic, social and cultural development of the country and contribute to the well-being of their co-citizens. It also operates as a temporary means of regulating human resources and now only concerns medical specialists, and aims at achieving balanced national healthcare coverage and at reducing territorial inequality in access to care. It therefore constitutes a civic obligation and a national duty. The Government adds that the public health specialists performing civic service have the status of civil servants and those wishing to remain in the public sector after completing the civic service retain that status. The Government refers to several measures that aim to improve the working conditions of these doctors; receipt of a civic service bonus of between 20,000 and 60,000 dinars depending on the zone of practice, above an increase in remuneration of up to 150 per cent in the southern Wilayas (Executive Decree No. 18-257 of 11 October 2018); fully equipped lodgings; the duration of the civic service may be deducted from national service and varies from one to a maximum of four years (Executive Decree No. 18-256 of 11 October 2018); 45 days annual leave for certain regions; family reunification; scientific leave for ongoing training; and provision of specialized equipment. Finally, the Government indicates that, with a view to the progressive withdrawal of civic service, it has established new university training services to increase the number of specialized physicians, as well as three new faculties of medicine in the south of the country. Thus, as recruitment of specialist doctors in these regions progresses, the number of specialities included under civic service will be reduced by decree, until the system is phased out. In that regard, dental surgery and pharmacy are no longer part of civic service.

The Committee takes due note of these proactive measures promoting the training and installation of specialist doctors throughout the territory with a view to phasing out civic service. It recalls however that the specialist doctors are obliged to perform civic service under threat of sanctions in the event of a refusal or resignation (imprisonment, fines and inability to engage in self-employment or employment in the private sector).

The Committee trusts that the Government will be able to discontinue civic service, which now concerns only specialist doctors, without delay or amend sections 32, 33, 34 and 38 of Act No. 84-10 of 11 February 1984 concerning civic service and thus the penalties that correspond with a refusal to perform this service. While awaiting this amendment to the legislation, the Committee requests the Government to communicate information on the number of doctors concerned by civic service and its length.

Articles 1(1) and 2(1) and Article 25. Trafficking in persons. (a) Action plan and measures of prevention. The Committee notes with interest the adoption of Act No. 23-04 of 7 May 2023 concerning the prevention and the fight against trafficking in persons which defines and criminalizes trafficking in persons for the purposes of sexual exploitation, labour exploitation and forced service (section 2); and provides for the elaboration of a national prevention strategy against trafficking in persons and its implementation through the mobilization of the necessary human and material resources (section 5). The National Committee on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Persons (CNPLT) has been entrusted with elaborating the draft national strategy and its plan of action, and will supervise its implementation, in coordination with all parties concerned (section 11). The Committee notes that the different areas of intervention of the CNPLT include, inter alia: (i) the formulation of teaching, education and awareness-raising programmes on the risks of trafficking; (ii) the production of an annual report on trafficking in persons; and (iii) in coordination with all actors, the establishment of guidelines on identification of victims of trafficking in persons and their orientation towards the competent public structures, in accordance with the national referral mechanism.

While duly noting these provisions, the Committee observes that the Government provides no information on the results obtained under the implementation of the Plan of Action for Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Persons (2019–21) nor on the measures taken with a view to adopting a new action plan. In this regard, the Committee emphasizes the importance of developing coordinated and systematic action between the different competent structures, with a view to preventing and eliminating trafficking in persons. The Committee consequently requests the Government to: (i) take the necessary measures for the adoption of a new national action plan against trafficking in application of section 11 of Act No. 23-04 of 2023; (ii) provide information on the activities undertaken by the National Committee on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Persons in its various fields of intervention and on the measures taken to ensure that sufficient means are put at its disposal; and (iii) provide information on activities aimed at raising public awareness of the risks of trafficking in persons.

(b) Protection and assistance of victims. The Committee notes that Act No. 23-04 provides for medical, psychological, social and legal assistance to facilitate the reintegration of victims of trafficking, as well as for the establishment of care centres. Provision is also made for the State to facilitate the voluntary, fully secure, return to their country of origin of foreign victims of trafficking in persons. Moreover, victims of trafficking cannot be prosecuted for violations related to the entry, stay and circulation of foreign nationals, nor held responsible under criminal law for offences committed, or under civil law for damages caused that are directly linked to their situation as victims of trafficking. Finally, the Committee notes that the national referral mechanism, as the mechanism coordinating the measures and procedures put in place to identify, protect, assist and support victims of trafficking in persons, will be established through regulation. The Committee requests the Government to communicate information on identified victims of trafficking, specifying the numbers of those that have benefited from assistance, and the nature of the assistance provided. The Government is also requested to indicate whether the national referral mechanism has been adopted.

(c) Prosecution and application of penal sanctions. The Committee notes the absence of information from the Government on investigations, legal prosecutions and penalties imposed in relation to trafficking. The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to strengthen the capacities of the bodies responsible for applying the law to ensure that all cases of trafficking are appropriately identified and are subject to investigation and prosecution so that those responsible may be convicted. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information in this regard, and in particular on the number of investigations and prosecutions undertaken and on the sanctions imposed under sections 40 and 41 of Act No. 23-04 of 7 May 2023.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.