Thirty-two workers from Tourah Portland Cement Company, a subsidiary of HeidelbergCement, were arrested and brought to trial over accusations of crimes relating to an illegal protest. In April, security guards working at Tourah Cement announced a sit-in to protest the company's decision to lay them off after years of service (allegedly reaching10 to 15 years for some workers). The workers complained that the company failed to pay money owed to them, and treated them as contractors rather than employees, contrary to a previous court order.

A response from Suez Cement Group of Companies is provided below.