French employees allegedly fired for refusing to remove headscarves at Elior-Derichebourg
via Algérie3602 min read
An investigation by Mediapart, published on April 20, 2026, highlights alleged discriminatory practices within the French group Elior-Derichebourg. Several female employees claim they were dismissed after refusing to remove their headscarves at their workplace. According to these testimonies, management asked some employees to remove their headscarves, citing a neutrality clause in the internal regulations, particularly for positions involving public contact. These employees state that they were already wearing headscarves when hired without any issues. This change in rules, imposed after their arrival, created unprecedented tensions within the company, against a backdrop of discrimination. The company acknowledges its position. Following notifications, employees were given a deadline to comply with the instruction. Those who refused faced disciplinary procedures, including dismissal for serious misconduct. One alleged victim stated, "We are a minority that can be fired as if it were normal," while others reported a lack of time to adapt. Elior-Derichebourg management acknowledges the existence of "a few individual procedures," while specifying that these measures strictly comply with the group's internal regulations. The company also states that "neutrality" is mandatory for certain assignments, particularly in schools or administrations, where the wearing of religious symbols may be restricted depending on the position. Since its merger in 2023, Elior-Derichebourg employs 1
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Algérie360.
Mohamed Seghir Saâdaoui, the Algerian Minister of National Education, confirmed that a reform of the current educational programs and system is under consideration by the Directorate General of Education. Speaking at the launch of the baccalaureate exams for the June 2026 session, the Minister clarified the future direction of Algerian schooling. He reviewed various pedagogical models globally, noting that some countries focus on fundamental subjects while others use a coefficient system. However, Saâdaoui defended the Algerian model, stating that its current program and system have achieved a respectable level recognized internationally. He emphasized that there is no intention to abandon past achievements, warning that it is not easy to relinquish the country's current standing by adopting a different program. The Minister concluded that this pursuit of stability does not prevent necessary improvements and adjustments to the current program, indicating a path toward gradual modernization rather than abrupt change. The baccalaureate exams were launched from Tizi Ouzou, a region the Minister praised for consistently achieving top national results. He attributed these exceptional performances to efforts within its schools and called for educational institutions to organize twinning sessions between different wilayas to exchange expertise and share successful experiences. By choosing Tizi Ouzou for the launch, the Ministry aimed to motivate education directorates nationwide to
The U.S. Embassy in Algeria recently convened key national agricultural and industrial stakeholders to discuss optimizing oilseed processing and developing the animal feed sector. This initiative, a technical seminar titled "Optimizing Oilseed Processing and Animal Feed Production," marks a further step in strengthening economic ties between Algiers and Washington. The event involved leading institutions such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA, the U.S. Soybean Export Council USSEC, the Soybean Innovation Lab, and the University of Missouri. This collaboration occurs amidst a significant increase in agricultural trade, with U.S. soybean exports to Algeria more than doubling between 2025 and 2026, driven by growing local demand for livestock feed. Mark Schapiro, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires, stated that high-quality, sustainable U.S. soybeans contribute to Algeria's food security goals by supporting its poultry and livestock sectors and generating demand for local processing facilities. Over the course of a week, American and Algerian experts will share knowledge and promote industrial innovation through technical discussions and best practice sharing. The objective is to enhance Algeria's capabilities in oilseed crushing and animal feed manufacturing. This event underscores the strong, long-standing relationship between the United States and Algeria, highlighting their joint efforts to ensure agricultural productivity, food security, and sustainable economic growth.
Algeria dispatched a rare cargo of liquefied natural gas LNG to the Netherlands in May, marking the first such delivery to the Northern European market in two years. This strategic move aligns with Algeria's goal to expand its market share as a major energy partner, capitalizing on ongoing supply disruptions from the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz. The 68,000-ton shipment to the Netherlands was part of Algeria's total LNG exports of 1.04 million tons in May, a significant increase from 0.70 million tons in April. While Europe remains a primary destination for Algerian gas, the Netherlands is not a regular customer, typically importing only one to two Algerian cargoes annually and relying heavily on US imports. The last Algerian LNG delivery to the Netherlands was in May 2024, with a volume of 76,000 tons. From 2013 to May 2026, Dutch imports of Algerian gas totaled 1.1 million tons. In May 2026, the Netherlands imported 1.4 million tons of LNG overall, with the US supplying the largest share, accounting for 15 cargoes. France led the list of Algerian LNG clients in May 2026 with 234,000 tons, followed by Turkey 203,000 tons, Spain 200,000 tons, Italy 192,000 tons, Croatia 76,000 tons, the Netherlands 68,000 tons, and the United Kingdom 61,000 tons. Spain's return to the Algerian LNG market with 200,000 tons is notable after a near-total suspension since November 2025. This performance underscores Algeria's logistical flexibility and competitiveness in ensuring Europe's energy