Former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe says he wants to renegotiate this agreement signed in 1968 which organizes the entry, stay and employment of Algerians in France.
In 1968, France and Algeria signed an agreement to organize the employment of Algerians in France. While the government wants to pass its immigration bill in July, former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe explains, in an interview with The Express Monday, June 5, that he is against “a fait accompli immigration” and for a renegotiation of this agreement. The text organizes the entry, stay and employment of Algerians in France.
A relatively unknown agreement in France
This agreement was signed in December 1968, six years after the end of the Algerian war and the signing of the Evian agreements. At the time, France was in the midst of the post-war boom period and lacked the manpower to support the rapid development of its economy. This agreement, initiated under the presidency of General de Gaulle, therefore facilitates the installation of Algerian workers in France, as well as their families. On the Algerian side, the agreement was signed by Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the former president, who was then foreign minister.
A text that gives special status to Algerians
With this text, Algerians come under a specific regime in France. They do not come under common law unlike nationals of other countries in the world. The entry of Algerian nationals into French territory is notably facilitated. They can also access residence permits valid for ten years more quickly than nationals of other countries. They also benefit from the freedom of establishment to exercise a commercial activity or an independent profession. Nevertheless, there are not only advantages. Students, for example, cannot have a small “job” without authorization, they are also limited in the number of hours they can work as employees.
A text already revised, but never questioned until now
The agreement was revised three times in 1985, 1994 and 2001, but the main principles of the agreement and the exceptions to common law were maintained. Moreover, since this agreement is an international treaty, it has a value superior to national laws, as provided for in the Constitution. This means that this agreement means that Algerians are not entirely subject to immigration laws.
Moreover, the government’s immigration bill specifies that its provisions will not concern Algerians, “exclusively governed by the 1968 agreement”. It is precisely this point that Edouard Philippe denounces. The mayor of Le Havre advocates a questioning of the agreement, even if, probably, this would further deteriorate relations between France and Algeria.