Algeria Holiday

QUESTION: Japanese diet is expected to have the new legislation to sending a Japanese Self-Defense Force to Iraqi reconstruction tomorrow. And tomorrow is a U.S. holiday, so could you give us -- (laughter). ... [Read More]

Burkina Faso 2000 Post Report

Holiday Items. Bringfamily holiday things for Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Passover, Valentine’s Day,etc. Sometimes, families will pool their decorations to decorate the Recreation Center ora residence for a community party, but family holiday traditions at home will be importantin Africa. Bring house decorations, special holiday foods, and candles, an artificial treeand ornaments for Christmas. Also bring holiday and general greeting cards, wrappingpaper, ribbon, and holiday party supplies. Some greeting cards and note cards, withAfrican motifs, are available locally. ... [Read More]

Middle East and North Africa

In 2004, the Government's poor human rights record worsened, and it continued to commit numerous, serious abuses. Summary executions, disappearances, extremist vigilantism, widespread use of torture and other degrading treatment remained problems. Despite the Government's reassertion that torture was illegal, there was no evidence that authorities had discontinued the practice. The investigation into the death of a dual national Canadian/Iranian photographer, who suffered a brain hemorrhage after sustaining injuries while in prison, stagnated. Authorities gradually suppressed almost all independent domestic media outlets, arresting or effectively silencing their journalists. The last forum for free debate, weblogs, started to come under pressure when the Government began arresting their creators and forcing them to sign false confessions. The Government continued to discriminate against and harass the Baha'i community and other religious and ethnic minority groups, in ... [Read More]

Local Holidays (International) - Complete List

Local Holidays (International)APIANew Year's Day    Monday, 3 JanGood Friday    Friday, 25 MarEaster    Monday, 28 MarAnzac Day    Monday, 25 AprMother's of Samoa Day    Monday, 9 MaySamoan Independence Day    Wednesday, 1 JunSamoan ... [Read More]

Tips for Travelers to the Middle East and North Africa

August 2001 The information in this publication is in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission. When this material is reproduced, the Department of State would appreciate receiving a copy at: CA/P, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 20520-4818. [Read More]

Algeria

The standard workweek was 37.5 hours. Workers who worked beyond the standard workweek received premium pay on a sliding scale from "time and a half" to "double time," depending on whether the overtime was worked on a normal work day, a weekend, or a holiday. ... [Read More]

Algeria

In July 2000, the standard workweek was shortened to 37.5 hours. Workers who work beyond the standard workweek receive premium pay on a sliding scale from "time and a half" to "double time," depending on whether the overtime is worked on a normal work day, a weekend, or a holiday. ... [Read More]

Algeria

Voter turnout of 46 percent was the lowest since the country's independence. Problems were reported by credible sources at some polling stations, notably ballot envelopes filled with positive votes for the FLN. The Kabylie region launched a sometimes violently enforced boycott to protest the lack of transparency, increased corruption, and overt discrimination against Amazigh parties and candidates, successfully limiting the vote to 15 percent in some regions and 7 percent in Tizi Ouzou. Residents in the Kabylie region boycotted local elections in October 2002, with many protests leading to violent confrontations with the police, who used excessive force to quell protests. In December, indirect elections for one-third of the Council of the Nation (upper house) were held. According to the Constitution, the Council is comprised of 144 seats; two-thirds of the members are indirectly elected by members of their regional assemblies - the Popular Communal Assemblies and the ... [Read More]

Algeria

During August, workers at southern facilities of Sonatrach, the state-owned oil and gas production company, protested inadequate salaries and benefits. On September 30, employers in the health sector began a weeks-long "unlimited" strike at the appeal of the National Federation of Health Sector Workers (FNTS), an affiliate of the UGTA. The federation sought increases in salaries and benefits. The National Union of Public Health Practitioners (SNPSP) went on strike on October 10, seeking salary increases of up to 80 percent. c. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor Forced or bonded labor is prohibited by the Constitution's provisions on individual rights, and the Penal Code prohibits compulsory labor, including forced or compulsory labor by children. The Government generally enforced the ban effectively. d. Prohibition of Child Labor and Minimum Age for Employment The minimum age for employment is 16 years. In ... [Read More]

Algeria (12/04)

Information on travel conditions, visa requirements, currency and customs regulations, legal holidays, and other items of interest to travelers also may be obtained before your departure from a country's embassy and/or consulates in the U.S. (for this country, see "Principal Government Officials" listing in this publication). ...

Emergency information concerning Americans traveling abroad may be obtained from the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at (202) 647-5225. For after-hours emergencies, Sundays and holidays, call 202-647-4000. ... [Read More]