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| Africa North |
| Tunisia pays unemployment benefits |
| 2011-04-19 |
| [Maghrebia] In an attempt to alleviate the suffering of jobless university graduates, the Tunisian government last week began paying out unemployment benefits. As part of the government's "Amal" programme, university graduates actively seeking employment will receive 200 dinars a month, as well as medical coverage, Employment Minister Said Aydi explained on Monday (April 4th). Recipients can collect the allowance for up to one year. "It's a good plan to help unemployed people get out of disappointment and the ghost of unemployment," said Imed Allouch, who has not had a job for two and half years. He added that the benefits would provide him with financial, psychological and social stability while alleviating the burdens on families that can no longer afford to support unemployed children. "It will be a motive for them to proceed with their search for work. It's also a proof that there are serious attempts by the government to deal with the problem of unemployment in spite of the tough economic conditions in the country," Allouch said. Manel Ghazouani, who received her bachelor's degree three years ago, said that the decision to pay unemployment benefits, while considerate of those in need, was only a temporary solution to allow jobseekers greater flexibility in their search. "Looking for jobs requires a lot of expenses that unemployed people can't afford," she said. "Therefore, I think that these benefits will solve the problem of many unemployed people and boost their chances to find jobs." The benefits could also help curb some of the crimes committed by unemployed people, according to Hatem Bourouis, who agreed that the benefits were a positive step. But not everyone was convinced that the allowance will have its desired effect. "I can't spend this benefit on looking for a job that doesn't exist," said Warda Badri, who received a bachelor's degree in Arabic a year and a half ago. Among the requirements to receive the benefit is a mandate for jobs seekers to seriously undertake a search for employment or launch their own business. Additionally, recipients will be required to receive specialised training for in-demand jobs to provide them with the necessary experience. The aid can also be terminated if the beneficiary turns down multiple offers of employment. The programme only applies to first-time job seekers unemployed for at least six months, significantly limiting the pool of applicants. The eligibility requirements angered some unemployed Tunisians, who say they were unfairly excluded. |
| Posted by:Fred |