The estimated workforce stood at 10.15 million. The government employed around 32% of the labour force, with agriculture accounting for 14%, industry 13.4%, construction and public works 10%, trade 14.6%, and other occupations 16%. An estimated 22.5% of the workforce was unemployed.

Algerian law permits collective bargaining for all unions. While there is no legal restrictions on a worker's right to join a union, government approval is required by those workers seeking to form a union. Approximately two-thirds of Algerian workers were unionised. Minimum wages are set by the government with the advice of the General Union of Algerian Workers (Union Générale des Travailleurs Algériens—UGTA). The standard work week is 37.5 hours, and those employees who worked past the standard work week were subject to receiving "time-and-a-half “or "double-time," on whether they worked during a holiday, a weekend, or on a normal work day. The minimum age for employment is 16 years.