Moroccan cities witnessed today labor protests as thousands took to the streets to protest rising frustration over economic hardship, stalled reforms, and mounting government distrust.
In Rabat, four major trade union federations, the Moroccan Labor Union, the Democratic Confederation of Labor, the National Union of Labor, and the General Union of Moroccan Workers, mobilized crowds to denounce the government for failing to shield workers from soaring costs of essentials.
Union said that the government’s wage hikes, a 1,000-dirham monthly raise and a 10% boost to the minimum wage, had failed to match the relentless pace of inflation, leaving many workers worse off in real terms.
Miloudi Moukharik, UMT’s secretary-general, condemned what he called a systematic erosion of labor rights, pointing to the unilateral passage of the controversial strike law, a move he labeled a “democratic travesty” after it was rushed through parliament with less than a quarter of lawmakers present.
Key demands that resonated during the protests called for general wage increases, pension raises, tax justice, including a wealth tax and immediate action to cap fuel and food prices.
Protesters criticized the persistence of Article 288 of the penal code, a colonial-era provision criminalizing union action, and called for its abolition, and lamented stalled social dialogue.
Workers from sectors like public administration, local authorities, and higher education reiterated longstanding grievances over stagnant sectoral agreements and poor working conditions, demanding fair career progressions and better occupational safety.
Beyond domestic demands, solidarity with Palestine surged visibly with Palestinian flags hoisted high, and chants condemned ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza,
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