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Algeria has put in place a solid legal and technological framework to combat social security fraud, to ensure the fairness and sustainability of the system for all citizens. This was indicated this Tuesday in Algiers by the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Fayçal Bentaleb.
In his speech at the opening of the technical forum of the International Social Security Association, on the theme of combating and preventing social security fraud in North Africa, Mr. Bentaleb declared that “ Algeria has made considerable efforts to combat the phenomena of social security fraud and tax evasion, by undertaking reforms of the national system and accelerating the digitalization process.
The minister specified that the reforms of the national system have focused on unifying the systems, procedures and benefits for all affiliates, emphasizing the need to reconcile the simplification of procedures with the establishment of mechanisms to detect and treat these risks. He added that “some individuals seek to obtain undue advantages and benefits, which undermines the effectiveness of national social security systems.”
Faced with these attempts at fraud, the Algerian legislator has put in place strict measures for the use and exploitation of the social security card, providing for dissuasive sanctions. He thus revealed that a fine of up to 5 million dinars and a prison sentence of up to 5 years will be applied to those who attempt to take undue advantage of social benefits. He added that the penalties are doubled in the event of repeat offenses.
But the authorities do not intend to stop there. Faced with the growing ingenuity of fraudsters, Mr. Bentaleb announced the deployment of cutting-edge technologies to counter their actions. Artificial intelligence, massive data processing, intelligent algorithms, all means are used to detect and neutralize fraud attempts. He noted that the number of digital services offered remotely exceeds 127, based on 67 applications and 48 digital platforms, 24 of which are intended to do without documents and paper documents.
In addition to intelligent applications and algorithms, the sector has started to use artificial intelligence and big data processing technologies, Big Data, given the large number of databases used in the sector to ensure efficiency and the effectiveness of social services, said the first manager of the sector. This approach is part of a broader dynamic of digitalization of social security services, the objective being to simplify procedures while strengthening the cracks against fraudsters.
The digitization of the Chifa map The CHIFA card is the social security health insurance card in Algeria. A smart card in credit card format which allows its owner and dependents to benefit from social security benefits regarding health expenses. was cited as an example of a strategic tool that helped secure services for social security contractors. This allowed access to pharmacists, cardiovascular disease specialists, obstetric clinics, dialysis centers, without having to pay fees, thanks to more than 19 million cards issued, added the minister. According to the minister, Algeria has recorded a significant drop in the number of fraud cases in recent years. Among the different forms of registered social security fraud, the minister cited in particular the erroneous declaration of income, the non-declaration or partial declaration of employees by employers, the fraudulent use of the Chifa card, the illegal accumulation of jobs and the undue receipt of benefits.
Furthermore, the minister wanted to underline the social character of the State by affirming that since its independence, Algeria has strived to consolidate it, to strengthen social justice and to promote economic growth and well-being. be social, in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of 1er November 1954.