Maghreb leaders face a growing challenge from unions

Significance

Since President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s ouster in April, the military-dominated interim authorities have sought to shore up their own position, including by managing the installation of new leaders in key interest groups like the Algerian General Workers’ Union (UGTA). Given the precedent set by Tunisia, where the support of the Tunisian General Workers’ Union (UGTT) for the 2011 revolution was decisive, this comes as no surprise. In Morocco, a fragmented union structure has less clout, but nevertheless protests and strikes over the past three years have played a role in calling the country’s development model into question.

Impacts

• Algerian authorities will hold sway over the UGTA leadership, but fail to win over grassroots members, undermining the union's functioning.
• Tunisia’s weak political class will struggle to push through planned structural reforms against resistance from the powerful UGTT.
• In Morocco, strikes and protests will be isolated; they may add pressure for limited reform without threatening the political order.
• Rabat’s planned national development commission will offer an opportunity for unions to make their voice heard.