Compass Algeria

Compass Group Algeria violates union rights

In December 2006, these workers decided to create a union to defend their dignity and to improve their working conditions. But an expatriate manager intervened to prevent them from doing so. The union's legitimacy was disputed despite support from nearly 80% of the workforce, the union was not allowed to meet on company property . Called in by the union to enforce the law, two Factory inspectors were received with insults and arrogance from management. Management harassed workers aiming to silence any form of expression in the workplace. Compass then decided "to make an example" by suspending Yassin Zaid, elected General Secretary of the union. A former employee of the day, receiving bonuses for merit, his work contract was suspended. Compass Group and Eurest pressed charges against him for "slander on the Internet". For the last 18 months, his life destroyed, Yassin Zaid has lived in fear of further reprisals by Compass Group. Despite this he continues to campaign for justice and representation For more information contact the IUF Tel: 0041 22 793 2233 Email: [email protected]

Union General Secretary Yassin Zaid who has been suspended from work for 18 months

Compass Group • Is one of the largest catering and food service companies in the world • operates in over 50 countries • employs over 388,000 workers worldwide. • UK based, it is a FTSE 100 company • Just announced profit of…

What you can do • Send a message to Compass Group via labour start www.labourstart.org • Contact Compass management to express your support for the workers in Algeria •

Compass Group Algeria violates union rights

Management of the multinational food service provider stamp out worker representation. In the dunes 850 kilometers south east of Algiers, Eurest Support Services, subcontracts the catering services for the workmen of the oil-bearing fields of Hassi Messaoud for global companies such as Schlumberger, Halliburton, Repsol, BP, Ciepsa and Burlington The Compass Group subsidiary employs 1.900 workers in Algeria. As elsewhere in the world, they are amongst the worst paid and the least considered. The average wage is 18.000 dinars per month (approximately 185 € ) Shifts last 6 weeks with no day off Living in desert temperatures, Lodging conditions, food and hygiene are deplorable. Beds and blankets are insufficient for the employees at rest. The International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Associations (IUF) is an international union representing 374 trade unions in 120 countries with a combined membership of over 2.6 million workers. We are based in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information visit our website www.iuf.org