 The UGTA was linked with the Front de Libération nationale; however, in 1989, with constitutional changes and new laws the UGTA was distanced from the FLN and no longer retained the position of sole trade union center.Despite this, the UGTA continues to be, in practice, the only center - with few trade unions outside its affiliation.During the Algerian Civil War the trade union movement was caught in the same violence that killed large numbers of civilians.