Deteriorating social conditions pose an acute challenge for Tunisia's interim government.
Almost a quarter of Tunisians live below the poverty line, according to recent government findings.
Unemployment and social marginalisation are at the forefront of young people's post-revolution concerns, Social Affairs Minister Mohamed Ennaceur said during his May 27th meeting with the High Commission for the Realisation of Revolutionary Goals.
The problem is particularly prominent in the interior western regions, which are still witnessing social protests.
To rectify the problem and meet people's demands, Ennaceur called for introducing structural reform of social policy, revamping the tax system and wage policy in addition to improving the health sector and education system.
Commission members cautioned the interim government against further deterioration of social conditions, especially in the regions forgotten under the former regime. They warned of an outbreak of new protests due to the provisional government's slowness in finding solutions to youths' long-simmering grievances.
To stand up to the challenge, the interim government has taken a number of ad hoc measures to improve social conditions for low-income families.
In April, the government increased the number of families benefitting from social allowances from 50,000 to 185,000, said Najet Dkhil, an official at the social affairs ministry. The grants for needy families will now be paid on a monthly basis, whereas previously they were disbursed every three months.
An additional 25,000 families will benefit from free treatment cards and 57,900 families will be eligible for low-tariff treatment at public health institutions, Dkhil added.
Furthermore, the ministry is currently studying drafts for setting up social housing and helping poor families to own homes, according to the official. Dhkil added that the government was working to generate jobs for disadvantaged youths in order to integrate them in the economic cycle.
Some families, however, complain that they haven't benefited from these measures.
Rachida Ghazouani, a widow from a village near the north-western city of Bargou, lives with her three children on a monthly income of 270 dinars (136 euros). Her son, Mohamed, obtained a university degree in history twelve years ago and is still looking for a job. Daughter Reem had to interrupt her studies because of poverty, and Nora has a disability.
"We have not found anyone to give us a voice or anyone to listen to us," Ghazouani said. "We have a right, as a poor family not receiving support and without an income, to take priority in social benefits, because we need it most critically in order to pay our expenses and continue to live."
But Mosbah Saker, whose family lives in poverty and dire need, is optimistic that the winds of revolution will open new doors of hope.
"All indications are that the situation will change for the better," he said. "That may require a long time but it does not matter. We must wait, as what is coming is better."
© Magharebia.com 2011
