"State public enterprises defend the national interest”

With national elections scheduled for October, privatisation has become a central issue. The UGTT union federation has scheduled a strike for February 20-21. “The UGTT will need a broader platform than simple salary increases for public servants,” reports African Manager. According to UGTT deputy general secretary Mohamed Ali Boughdiri, “its economic programme will include policies favourable to companies, but also safeguard public enterprises in the ‘strategic sectors,’ electricity (production and distribution), gas, water supply, transport, cement, oilseeds, phosphate mining, education and health. ‘The private sector only runs after the profits,’ he explains. ‘State public enterprises defend the national interest.’”