Algeria: The Struggle of Women Working in the Informal Sector

Layla (pseudonym), a trainer at a gym in Algeria, dreams of a decent residential apartment, as she and her husband are tired of renting homes throughout their five years of marriage. "All of our money has been spent on rent. We live in a very modest apartment due to its low price, so we can save a little to buy a home". Layla sees this as a distant dream due to not having a job that allows her to benefit from the housing facilities provided by the state for those with formal and authorized jobs. Layla faces the challenges of informal work, where she lacks the security and benefits provided to formal employees, such as official contracts and social insurance. Her situation mirrors that of many women in Algeria, who find themselves compelled to work in unstable conditions with no legal protection.

The informal employment of women has always been present in the Algerian labor market, but it has developed into alarming levels since the beginning of the national economic liberalization process in the early 1980s. Informal work goes by several names, such as informal employment, black work, or the unregulated economy. The International Labor Organization (ILO) has adopted the latter term, classifying it under ‘unregulated economy’, as unregulated labor force "is not recognized, registered, or regulated under labor legislation and social protection."

Informal employment is found primarily in the private sector. According to research, this is linked to "the laxity of state agencies that are supposed to enforce labor regulations" in a context where the percentage of women working in the formal sector does not exceed 17 percent, according to the "Women in Figures" periodical published by the Foundation for Equality (CIDDEF). Sociologist Samir Larabi, who studied the private sector in Algeria, describes it as a lawless area where labor regulations are routinely ignored: employment contracts are non-existent, workers are not registered in social security programs, and benefits such as maternity leaves are absent. Women's informal employment is especially common in the textile, agrifood, trade, and service industries.

Modest Dreams and Meager Wages

Women often resort to informal employment as a social response to the formal economy's failure to accommodate them, compounded by the gender and social discrimination they endure during job searches. This situation is exacerbated by the imbalance of power dynamics that arise when authorities distribute resources inequitably among individuals within the same society. Women in the Algerian workforce possess limited power, which significantly hinders their development, especially in the context of a growing rentier economy.

Layla reflects on the origins of her informal work: "I turned to informal employment due to the challenges I faced in finding a job that matched my qualifications and after graduation. Additionally, the salary offered did not reflect the effort I put in." Despite her success as a trainer, Layla grapples with the lack of legal protections and social benefits, leaving her vulnerable to arbitrary dismissal. "My journey in sports training began in 2018 when I reluctantly signed a contract with a public institution as a professional worker, earning a salary of ten thousand Algerian Dinars, approximately 40 US dollars per month. After a year there, I transitioned to the private sector where I worked informally for a monthly salary five times higher than my initial wage."

Amal (pseudonym) faces a similar predicament, bearing the sole responsibility for her household as her unemployed husband abuses her and relies on her income. Amal shares, "I have been making and selling sweets for years. My husband forbids me from leaving the house to work; he only permits me to work from home, and he handles deliveries himself. I live in a difficult situation; he mistreats me and belittle my work." Amal is striving to formalize her status by obtaining a craftsperson’s card to access benefits such as loans and social insurance. Her story embodies the myriad challenges Algerian women endure, including unemployment, the repercussions of informal work, and pervasive discrimination. Her husband’s abuse and attempts to undermine her role illustrate the social and cultural barriers limiting women's empowerment in the labor market. Nevertheless, Amal's determination and efforts to enhance her professional situation underscore her pursuit of financial independence as a crucial step towards achieving economic and social justice.

Migrant Women and the ‘Luxury’ of Formal Employment

Migrant women face an increasingly precarious situation, as many work without residency permits. Many are employed in the caregiving sector, undertaking roles such as cleaners and aides.

Esther (pseudonym), a migrant from Congo, has been working as a house cleaner in Algeria for a decade, earning an insufficient wage that barely meets the needs of her and her children. She dreams of securing formal employment to provide a stable life for her children but lives in constant fear of deportation due to her lack of residency documents. I visited Esther at the Mustapha Pacha Hospital, where she had given birth to a girl. She explained, "Many people assisted me during childbirth, providing diapers, formula, and food supplies. I also received healthcare from the state. However, I am worried that if I leave [the hospital] and am stopped without residency documents, I will face immediate deportation." Esther views formal employment as a distant luxury, stating, "I clean houses and take on odd jobs to pay rent. My dream is to regularize my status and work formally so that my children can live safely."

Stephanie (pseudonym), a migrant from Côte d'Ivoire, works in a women’s hammam in the Bouzareah area of the capital. Despite the challenges of informal work, she finds it preferable to her previous roles cleaning houses and caring for children. "I have been working discreetly in this hammam for years. The owner treats me and my colleagues well. We provide massages and take care of the clients. In my previous informal jobs, the treatment and pay were not good. Despite its informal nature, I find this job quite comfortable. What matters to me are the tips and the wage, part of which I save to send to my family in Côte d'Ivoire."

Unrecognized Contributions in a Fragile Economic Environment

Women in the informal sector perform crucial but often overlooked roles. Those who bake bread at home and sell it in cafes, or seamstresses sewing uniforms in their homes for large workshops, make substantial contributions to the national economy, yet their work is rarely acknowledged. The same goes for home nurses and women farmers who play vital economic roles without receiving adequate recognition.

Women in the informal economy face precarious economic and social conditions, including low wages, exploitation, and sexual harassment, with little recourse for defense. These challenges not only affect individual livelihoods but also have significant implications for the national economy. During a conversation with Samir Larabi, he highlighted these issues, stating: "The informal sector destroys women due to the pressures associated with job sustainability, various harassments, and their inability to collectively defend themselves."

Algerian laws impose penalties for unlicensed work, particularly affecting women. Larabi proposes practical measures to improve the situation, such as organizing private sector workers into trade unions. He notes, "Without unionizing private sector workers, disorder will persist. Although our legislation is relatively progressive, enforcement remains lax, with the state frequently overlooking these practices. The legal framework is comprehensive and applies universally, not exclusively to women."

Navigating Inequities

In conclusion, this complex situation underscores the realities of labor under capitalism, exacerbating disparities in wages and opportunities. Algerian and migrant women often bear the brunt of these inequalities, facing gender gaps and heightened vulnerability to discrimination and exploitation within the workforce. Addressing these challenges requires a reevaluation of the economic and social systems perpetuating such gaps. This entails raising awareness about gender equality, enhancing women's participation in all sectors, and facilitating their access to jobs and leadership roles.

Moreover, it is crucial to provide legal protections for women employed in the informal sector to uphold their rights. Strengthening legislation and unionization efforts in the private sector can exert significant pressure on employers and government entities, fostering a shift toward formal employment and advancing social justice. This approach is essential for fostering a more equitable and inclusive future for all women, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances.

The views expressed in this article are not necessarily those of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.