The long-debated issue of increasing Algeria’s Guaranteed National Minimum Wage (SNMG) has reached a critical milestone with a definitive implementation timeline. While government officials had remained cautious about specific dates, Workers’ Party (PT) Secretary General Louisa Hanoune has now publicly confirmed that the wage revaluation will take effect from January 2026, transforming political discussions into a concrete commitment with a clear deadline.
Hanoune made this significant announcement during a Friday press conference at PT headquarters, directly following her November 25th audience with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. Her statement represents a strategic move to hold the executive branch accountable by converting general policy directions into specific, time-bound obligations that can be measured and evaluated.
The PT leader emphasized that the minimum wage increase forms just one component of a comprehensive package of worker demands being advocated for multiple employment sectors. “Among these demands is the increase of the guaranteed minimum wage at the start of next year,” she stated, highlighting the particular urgency for vocational training teachers and public service personnel who have been at the forefront of wage increase campaigns.
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SNMG in Algeria: Louisa Hanoune Announces Revaluation Starting January 2026
Addressing a crucial concern for low-income households, Hanoune provided explicit reassurance about the relationship between wage increases and social benefits. “It was specified that this revaluation of the minimum wage will not affect social transfers,” she declared, directly responding to fears that salary gains might be undermined by reductions in government assistance programs.
She elaborated on the comprehensive nature of Algeria’s social safety net, explaining that social transfers extend far beyond basic food subsidies to encompass essential services including healthcare, education, transportation, and support for vulnerable populations such as retirees and people with disabilities. This clarification underscores the government’s apparent commitment to maintaining its welfare infrastructure while simultaneously addressing wage inadequacies.
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Contextualizing the current economic landscape, the SNMG stands at 20,000 dinars (approximately $145 at official exchange rates), a figure that many labor advocates argue fails to reflect contemporary living costs and inflation pressures. The revaluation principle gained formal traction following the November 16, 2025 Council of Ministers meeting, where President Tebboune directed the Finance Minister to develop implementation mechanisms.
By establishing January 2026 as the implementation date, Hanoune has created a measurable benchmark for evaluating the government’s follow-through on its social commitments. This timeline provides Algerian workers with a clear expectation while simultaneously creating accountability pressure on the administration to deliver on its promised wage policy reforms in a timely manner.
The announcement represents a significant development in Algeria’s ongoing social dialogue, potentially signaling a new phase in the relationship between political leadership, labor representatives, and economic policy implementation as the country navigates complex economic challenges while addressing citizen welfare concerns.