Tebboune announces unemployment benefits for youth
Abdelmajid Tebboune introduced on Tuesday unemployment benefits as the North African nation struggles with nearly 15 percent unemployment rates.
As Algeria struggles with an unemployment rate of nearly 15%, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said Tuesday the government would establish young unemployment compensation.
Tebboune stated in an interview that aired on Algerian television that the payments would be provided "to preserve the dignity of young people."
The allowance of 13,000 dinars ($92) – roughly two-thirds of the minimum salary of 20,000 dinars ($142) – will be implemented in March.
It will be accompanied by medical benefits, as well as the suspension of various consumer goods taxes, according to Tebboune.
Algeria, Africa's largest gas exporter with a population of roughly 45 million people, derives over 90% of its national revenue from hydrocarbons.
The youth compensation was included in the 2022 budget according to Tebboune.
Legislators agreed in November to end significant state subsidies on basic items, which had long helped preserve social calm but had stretched state budgets as energy earnings declined.