Tunisia plans social reforms in wake of protests

TUNISIA - Tunisia has announced a raft of social reforms following anti-austerity protests which broke out across the North African country earlier this month.

The reforms, which include free medical aid for unemployed youth, come in the wake of demonstrations that began January 1. Over 700 people have been arrested in the protests against price hikes since Monday, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said Friday. Following a meeting at the presidential palace on Saturday, Social Affairs Minister Mohamed Trabelsi announced reforms aimed at providing relief for the economically disadvantaged, according to state news agency TAP. The reforms include:

Free medical aid for unemployed youth.

Increased state pensions. Increased financial assistance to poor families.

Establishment of a housing fund to make housing more affordable.

While the reforms address concerns of the poor, they do not effectively change the 2018 budget legislation -- which many had protested against. “Dropping the 2018 budget law is an unthinking and irresponsible idea,” said Rached Ghannouchi, head of Tunisia’s Ennahda Party, part of the ruling coalition.

“State reserve funds could solve some problems and create resources without opting for dropping the finance law,” Ghannouchi continued.

(CNN)