(3 minutes read)
- Algeria’s president Abdelmadjid Tebboune assured the youth of the country that he would introduce unemployment benefits to young adults
- The country is grappling with a jobless rate of almost 15 %
- The pay out will be for jobseekers aged between 19 and 40. The scheme is set to begin in March
Algeria’s president Abdelmadjid Tebboune assured the youth of the country that he would introduce unemployment benefits to young adults. The country is grappling with a jobless rate of almost 15 %.
The pay out will be for jobseekers aged between 19 and 40. The scheme is set to begin in March. There are over 600,000 unemployed in Algeria and providing doles will entail huge expenditure for the country. Eligible youth will be paid about US$100 (£73) a month. In addition to that, they will be provided some medical benefits until they find work.
The allowance, the government sources pointed out, will work out to two-third of the minimum wage, which is pegged at 20,000 dinars (US$142). It is also announced that taxes on consumer products for beneficiaries will be suspended.
Algeria was the first country outside Europe to introduce unemployment benefits. Algeria’s main income comes from gas exports. The country has around 45 million people. The state earns over 90% of its revenues from hydrocarbons. Earlier, the government has announced the dole scheme for the youth in the Budget 2022. It is to be seen how the latest measure would pose problems to the depleting resources of the North African country at a time its energy revenues are falling.
