A proposal to amend work hours sparks controversy in Algeria

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Some voices rose in Algeria calling for changing the working hours, from 7:30 in the morning to 2:30, in order to ease traffic congestion.

While the proposal called for by figures and associations such as the Algerian Federation for Consumer Protection, the President of the National Council of Higher Education Professors, and others, was welcomed by some. While others opposed it, arguing that it makes the employee run after job pressures without regard to his psychological needs.

Regarding amending working hours and duplication of professional activity, the head of the Algerian Federation for Consumer Protection, Zaki Harez, explained that the proposal submitted by the federation, regarding amending working hours to be from 7:30 in the morning to 2:30 in the afternoon, in addition to reconsidering the labor law to allow the practice of a second profitable professional activity after the end of work “comes in response to the economic and social transformations that the Algerian family is witnessing.”

He also added in statements to Al-Arabiya.net/Al-Hadath.net, saying: “The decline in purchasing power, rising prices, and inflation, which are phenomena that have affected many countries of the world, have made it necessary to think about mechanisms that allow citizens to improve their income and face the increasing burdens of living.”

Hariz also believed that “productivity and productivity are the true criteria for evaluating a worker’s performance, not the number of hours he spends in the workplace.”

On the other hand, the president of the federation considered that “reducing working hours can contribute to achieving a better balance between professional and family life, especially for working women who, in many cases, bear dual responsibilities between the requirements of the job and the burdens of the home and caring for children, which helps enhance family stability and cohesion.”

In this context, Hariz called on the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs to “reconsider the Labor Law, and present the proposed amendments to Parliament in both chambers for discussion and approval, in a way that responds to economic and social transformations and preserves workers’ rights and interests.”

In turn, sociologist Abdelhafid Sandouki considered that “the proposal may constitute an opportunity to reorganize the daily lives of Algerians, and achieve a better balance between professional obligations and personal life, provided that it takes into account the privacy of Algerian society and the needs of various groups.”

The spokesman also explained to Al-Arabiya.net/Al-Hadath.net that “one of the most prominent positives of this system is contributing to alleviating traffic congestion during peak hours, reducing time wasted in commuting, as well as enabling employees to use the evening period to practice sports and hobbies, continue training and studying, and attend to administrative and family concerns.”

He also believed that it might provide some people with “the opportunity to practice additional professional activity or launch small projects, in a way that enhances family income, provided that labor laws are respected and rest periods are guaranteed.”

On the other hand, the specialist warned of “social and organizational difficulties that may accompany the implementation of the proposal, especially for working parents who are forced to coordinate their outing times with their children’s school schedules, especially young children who need accompaniment and care.”

He also pointed out that "the difference in work times between sectors and institutions may limit the effectiveness of this system, in addition to the possibility of increasing morning pressure on transportation."

Sanqi concluded by stressing that “the success of the proposal requires a comprehensive field study and coordination between the labor, education and transportation sectors, with the adoption of a gradual and flexible application that ensures improving the quality of life without creating new social burdens.”