For more than two weeks, heavy rainfall has impacted cities and regions across northern Morocco, particularly affecting construction projects and open housing units in Tangier, a city experiencing significant urban development.
The persistent downpours have completely halted work at some construction sites, forcing companies to grant workers time off. The situation has coincided with the holy month of Ramadan, during which many construction workers prefer to take a break to spend time with family and loved ones.
Omar Abbas, a contractor in the construction sector, noted that while his company’s projects had not come to a complete standstill, the intense rainfall had forced industry players to shift focus to indoor work, such as installing water and electricity lines inside buildings.
In an interview with Hespress AR, Abbas explained that the rain had complicated work for contractors, particularly those who had reached the exterior tiling phase for apartment buildings. As a result, many firms redirected efforts to other tasks.
According to Abbas, the greatest difficulties were faced by developers working in densely populated areas, where rainwater accumulation in basement structures slowed progress. However, he stressed that overall, the impact of rainfall on construction activities remained limited, citing the availability of waterproofing materials such as oil-based coatings that help protect surfaces during construction.
Meanwhile, Hassan Karimi, a construction worker employed by a major real estate developer in Tangier, said work had stopped entirely on days of heavy rainfall. He noted that while some workers welcomed the unexpected break due to Ramadan, others were frustrated by the financial consequences of the work stoppage.
Karimi, who moved to Tangier from his hometown near Souk El Arbaa to work in construction, revealed that he had been working as a day laborer for years without an official contract, leaving him without access to social benefits guaranteed by labor laws.
“Throughout the winter, I haven’t worked, and I won’t receive any compensation because I am just a day laborer,” Karimi told Hespress AR. “I have no contract or document obligating the company to compensate me for work stoppages beyond our control.”
He emphasized that the prolonged work suspension would have serious financial repercussions for workers and their families, particularly given the timing—right before Eid al-Fitr, a holiday with high financial demands.
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