Morocco’s Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Enterprises, Employment, and Skills, Younes Sekkouri, has accepted some amendments from labor unions, including reducing the private sector’s strike notice period from 10 to 7 days.
However, the minister rejected other key demands, particularly the removal of the controversial “wage for work” clause, which would prevent striking workers from receiving pay.
Unions, including the Moroccan Labor Union (UMT) and the General Confederation of Workers of Morocco (CGEM), have criticized the clause, insisting it could lead to workers being penalized twice, as they argue striking is a last resort when their rights are violated. Sekkouri, however, maintained that wages should be tied to work performed.
During discussions on the draft law regarding strikes, Sekkouri also outlined changes to the “minimum service” requirement for certain sectors. The law will now only mandate continued service in cases related to safety, health, and threats to citizens’ lives, addressing concerns that businesses could be excessively disrupted.
The proposed changes also address concerns over “subcontracting” workers during a strike. The law now prohibits replacing striking workers with individuals unconnected to the company or service. This revision followed an amendment by the CGEM and aims to prevent the undermining of workers’ demands through external replacements.
Despite some concessions, Sekkouri rejected the unions’ demands for a salary guarantee for strikers, a measure unions argued was necessary to protect workers’ constitutional right to fair pay. Under the current proposal, strikers would be classified as temporarily suspended from work without pay, but employers would still be prohibited from terminating their contracts during a strike.
The revised bill has sparked debate, with unions insisting on further revisions to protect workers’ rights, particularly regarding wages and employment stability.
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