Large satisfecit  – Le Jeune Indépendant

The President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, ordered the revaluation of the guaranteed national minimum wage (SNMG) and unemployment benefit. This decision, announced this Sunday at a meeting of the Council of Ministers, welcomed by experts and long awaited by workers and unemployed young people, is part of the continuity of measures aimed at strengthening purchasing power and supporting the most vulnerable categories.

Contacted by The Young IndependentNoureddine Bouderba, expert on social issues and advisor to the general secretary of the UGTA for social affairs, welcomes a decision deemed “necessary” and “long awaited” by workers and pensioners. “The increase in the SNMG is a very good decision, which goes in the right direction and which has been awaited for a very long time by many workers, but also by retirees and benefit recipients whose income is indexed,” he said.

According to him, this revaluation should have a positive impact on “millions of workers and hundreds of thousands of pensioners and benefit recipients”. He also recalled that the UGTA, during a coordination meeting of the general secretaries of the wilaya unions and national federations affiliated to the UGTA, with the national secretary, held in Zéralda on September 30, 2025, had reiterated the urgent need for an increase in the minimum wage, a demand today satisfied “after a long delay”.

For Mr. Bouderba, this first step should pave the way for a set of structural measures. “We hope that these decisions will be accompanied by collective bargaining agreements in the public sector, but also by encouragement to economic companies so that they, in turn, increase the salaries of their workers,” he underlined. He recalled that the Head of State has already announced increases in the Civil Service, believing that the extension of this dynamic to the economic sector will contribute to strengthening pay equity at the national level.

Currently set at 20,000 DA, the SNMG had already been increased by 2,000 DA net in 2020, by decision of President Tebboune. Five years later, the Head of State initiated a new increase, which also concerns the amount of unemployment benefit, established in 2022 for the benefit of first-time job seekers for an amount of 15,000 DA per month.

A concrete improvement in purchasing power

These new directions are a continuation of the commitments expressed by the President of the Republic last September, during an interview given to national media. He then reaffirmed his intention to proceed, from 2026, with a new series of increases affecting salaries, student grants, unemployment benefits and even retirement pensions, “according to the means of the State”, with the stated objective of “improving the purchasing power of our fellow citizens, an improvement that Algerians already perceive”, he specified.

Regarding the revaluation of unemployment benefit, it is also welcomed by the expert, who considers it “completely normal” in view of the deterioration in purchasing power. “As long as the problems of unemployment, particularly those of first-time job seekers, are not resolved, it is essential to maintain a solid social safety net. This increase will limit the deterioration in the purchasing power of these categories,” he explained.

Bouderba insisted on the need to extend the system to workers who have already held a job but do not currently benefit from any compensation. “It would be desirable if those who lost their job without being covered could be included and also benefit from an allowance while waiting to find a job,” he suggested.

Through these decisions, the executive confirms its commitment to strengthening mechanisms for social justice and support for purchasing power. The preparation of the project to upgrade the SNMG and unemployment benefit constitutes a new step in the consolidation of social achievements and support for the most vulnerable categories.

Several trade union organizations and economic players have welcomed the directions of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, on the revaluation of the Guaranteed National Minimum Salary (SNMG) and unemployment benefit. For Amar Takdjout, secretary general of the UGTA: “The president’s directives contribute to the consolidation of social stability, through the improvement of the purchasing power of the citizen which the State places at the top of its priorities”.

For his part, Sadek Dziri, president of UNPEF, declared that “the planned upgrades will contribute to improving the living conditions of many households and will support young people while they wait for their integration into the job market.” Mustapha Zebdi, president of APOCE, stressed that “these decisions confirm that citizens’ concerns are being addressed at the highest level, thus strengthening social stability.”

Finally, Abderrahmane Hadef, economic development consultant, specified that “these measures go beyond the financial aspect alone: ​​they reflect a global vision of the State towards the citizen and should stimulate domestic consumption, a major lever of economic growth”. The “Sinaat-Al-Ghad” foundation also welcomed these decisions, considering them in line with the means of achieving sustainable social development.

An asset for the unemployed

Many unemployed young people shared their reactions. While this measure is generally welcomed, it is accompanied by strong expectations regarding improved access to employment and professional integration mechanisms.

For many young people, the increase in the unemployment bonus represents a breath of fresh air in a life context marked by the rising cost of basic necessities. They believe that this measure “comes at the right time”, especially for those who have no fixed income.

“It shows that we are not forgotten. It is help that does moral good. But our objective remains the labor market, not an allowance,” underlined Farès, a graduate in economics. “This bonus will at least allow us to hold on, to contribute to family expenses,” he added.

In addition to the economic impact, many see this decision as a sign of encouragement. According to Samir, a computer science graduate, it’s not just about money. We feel that there is a desire to alleviate our difficulties. “When the State shows that it supports us, it makes us want to move forward and build something,” he said.

Several young people say that this reassessed bonus will allow them to concentrate on concrete objectives such as training, preparation for competitive exams, one-off internships, etc. “Thanks to this increase, I can finally register for a little office automation training that I had been putting off for months. It’s an investment in myself,” explained Nourhane.

For others, this bonus serves as a springboard to advance personal projects. “I keep part for my travels, but I also save to set up a small digital business,” confided Wassim, a USTHB graduate. While waiting for new job opportunities, the increase in the bonus is an encouragement not to give up, to continue training and to remain active and ready.