Algerian Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Security Mourad Zemali recently visited Tizi-Ouzou, where he assured young entrepreneurs that the state will not prosecute those who fail to repay loans. During his visit, Zemali closed the National Salon for Young Investors and met with beneficiaries of various aid programs. He stated that the state will not pursue those who fail to implement their projects, but emphasized that those who embezzle funds will not be spared.
Zemali highlighted the success of the micro-enterprise program in Tizi-Ouzou, where 20,000 micro-enterprises have been created, with a failure rate of only 3.5%. He also noted that the recovery rate in the region is 70%, one of the highest in the country. The minister emphasized that the state's guarantee fund will repay banks on behalf of failed entrepreneurs, ensuring they are not burdened with debt.
The micro-enterprise program, which has been open to Algerian diaspora for a year, has enabled the creation of 527 projects. Zemali reassured that despite financial difficulties, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has decided to maintain all aid for young people creating micro-enterprises. He also mentioned that instructions have been given to ensure 20% of public contracts are reserved for young entrepreneurs, with a goal of increasing this to 30%.
During a press conference, Zemali reported that the national unemployment rate stands at 11.7%, up from 11.1% in April. He noted that university and vocational training graduates are driving the labor market, with 500,000 young graduates currently seeking employment. However, Zemali attributed stability in unemployment rates to job creation.
In Tizi-Ouzou, the unemployment rate is 8%, lower than the national average. Zemali also addressed the issue of employers not declaring their employees to the social security system, describing it as fraud that will be sanctioned. He emphasized that the state prioritizes awareness-raising over punitive measures.
The minister discussed the pre-employment program, stating that the issue lies not in the economic sector but in the administrative sector. He acknowledged the suffering of 360,000 workers in the pre-employment program and promised to find solutions soon. Zemali also addressed the controversy over healthcare in French hospitals, stating that the state does not finance these services.
Zemali reported that 90% of patients receiving treatment in French hospitals are children with pathologies that cannot be treated in Algeria. He also discussed the state's efforts to address cancer, noting an improvement in recent years. The minister highlighted that the National Social Security Fund (CNAS) participates in financing public hospitals to the tune of 88 billion dinars this year.
Key points
- Algerian Minister Mourad Zemali assures no prosecution for micro-enterprise promoters who fail to repay loans.
- The micro-enterprise program has created 20,000 jobs in Tizi-Ouzou with a low failure rate of 3.5%.
- The national unemployment rate stands at 11.7%, with 500,000 young graduates driving the labor market.
