The President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, has ordered the revaluation of the salaire national minimum garanti (SNMG) and unemployment benefits. This decision, announced the day before this Monday during a meeting of the Council of Ministers, welcomed by experts and long awaited by workers and unemployed youth, fits into the continuity of measures aimed at strengthening purchasing power and supporting the most vulnerable groups.
Contacted by Le Jeune Indépendant, Noureddine Bouderba, an expert on social issues and advisor to the Secretary General of the UGTA for social affairs, welcomes a decision deemed “necessary” and “long awaited” by workers and pensioners. “The increase of the SNMG is a very good decision, which goes in the right direction and which was awaited for a very long time by many workers, but also by retirees and beneficiaries whose income is indexed,” he affirmed.
According to him, this revaluation should positively impact “millions of workers and hundreds of thousands of pensioners and beneficiaries of allowances.” He also recalled that the UGTA, during a coordination meeting of the general secretaries of the wilaya unions and national federations affiliated with the UGTA, with the national secretary, held in Zeralda on September 30, 2025, had reiterated the urgent need for a revaluation of the minimum wage, a demand now satisfied “after a long delay.”
For Mr. Bouderba, this first step should open the way to a set of structural measures. “We hope that these decisions will be accompanied by collective bargaining agreements in the public sector, but also by incentives towards economic enterprises so that they in turn revalue the salaries of their workers,” he emphasized. He recalled that the Head of State has already announced increases in the public service, considering that extending this momentum to the economic sector will help strengthen wage equity nationwide.
Currently set at 20,000 DA, the SNMG had already been raised by 2,000 DA net in 2020, by decision of President Tebboune. Five years later, the Head of State is initiating a new revaluation, which also concerns the amount of unemployment benefits, established in 2022 for first-time job seekers for a sum of 15,000 DA per month.
These new directions continue the commitments expressed by the President of the Republic last September during an interview granted to national media. He then reaffirmed his intention to proceed, from 2026, with a new series of revaluations concerning salaries, student scholarships, unemployment benefits, and even retirement pensions, “depending on the means of the State,” with the stated objective of “improving the purchasing power of our fellow citizens, an improvement that Algerians are already perceiving,” he specified.
Regarding the revaluation of unemployment benefits, it is also welcomed by the expert, who considers it “perfectly normal” given the deterioration of purchasing power. “As long as the problems of unemployment, especially those of first-time job seekers, are not resolved, it is essential to maintain a strong social safety net. This increase will limit the deterioration of the purchasing power of these groups,” he explained.
Mr. Bouderba insisted on the need to extend the system to workers who have already had a job but currently receive no compensation. “It would be desirable that those who have lost their job without coverage could be included and also benefit from an allowance while waiting to find a position,” he suggested.
Through these decisions, the executive confirms its commitment to strengthening the mechanisms of social justice and support for purchasing power. The preparation of the project to revalue the SNMG and unemployment benefits constitutes a new step in consolidating social gains and supporting the most fragile groups.
Several trade union organizations and economic actors have praised the directions of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, on the revaluation of the Salaire national minimum garanti (SNMG) and unemployment benefits. For Amar Takdjout, Secretary General of the UGTA: “The directives of the president contribute to consolidating social stability, through improving the purchasing power of the citizen, which the State places at the top of its priorities.”
On his side, Sadek Dziri, president of the UNPEF, declared that “the planned revaluations will contribute to improving the living conditions of many households and will support young people while awaiting their integration into the labor market.” Mustapha Zebdi, president of the APOCE, emphasized that “these decisions confirm that the concerns of citizens are taken care of at the highest level, thus reinforcing social stability.”
Finally, Abderrahmane Hadef, economic development consultant, specified that “these measures go beyond the purely financial aspect: 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 praised these decisions, considering them consistent with the means of achieving sustainable social development.
Many unemployed young people have shared their reactions. While this measure is broadly welcomed, it accompanies strong expectations regarding improved access to employment and professional integration programs.
For many young people, the increase in unemployment benefits represents a breath of fresh air in a living context marked by rising prices of essential goods. They consider this measure “timely,” especially for those with no fixed income.
“This shows that we are not forgotten. It is help that is morally reassuring. But our goal remains the labor market, not an allowance,” emphasized Farès, a graduate in economic sciences. “This allowance will at least allow us to get by, to contribute to family expenses,” he added.
Beyond the economic impact, many see this decision as a sign of encouragement. According to Samir, a computer science graduate, it is not only a matter of money. One feels a willingness to alleviate our difficulties. “When the State shows it supports us, it makes you want to move forward and build something,” he said.
Several young people affirm that this revalued allowance will allow them to focus on concrete goals such as training, preparing for competitions, temporary internships, etc. “Thanks to this increase, I can finally register for a small office automation training course I’ve been postponing for months. It’s an investment in myself,” explained Nourhane.
For others, this allowance serves as a springboard to advance personal projects. “I keep part for my travel expenses, but I am also saving to start a small digital business,” confided Wassim, a graduate of the USTHB. While awaiting new job opportunities, the increase in the allowance stands as encouragement to not give up, to continue training, and to remain active and ready.