A Moroccan fuel industry union has urged the House of Representatives to approve two fuel-related bills rejected by the House of Councillors, arguing that the measures are essential to strengthening the country’s energy security and reducing fuel costs for consumers.
The National Union of Petroleum and Gas Industries, affiliated with the Democratic Confederation of Labour (CDT), criticized the upper house for voting down legislation that would establish a mechanism to regulate fuel prices and transfer the assets of the bankrupt Samir refinery to the Moroccan state.
In a statement, the union said the proposed laws would help lower fuel prices, expand Morocco’s strategic fuel reserves, revive the country’s refining industry and safeguard jobs.
It also argued that transferring Samir’s assets to state ownership would enable the recovery of billions of dirhams in public funds tied to the refinery’s debts, including at least MAD 10 billion ($1.1 billion) owed to customs authorities, in addition to other liabilities stemming from court rulings.
The House of Councillors rejected both bills during a legislative session on June 16, despite the Finance, Planning and Economic Development Committee approving them on June 9.
The union criticized what it described as a reversal by some political parties and labor organizations that had previously supported similar initiatives.
It said parties that endorsed comparable measures under the government of former Prime Minister Saad Dine El Othmani are now opposing them under the current administration led by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch.
According to the union, the change reflects continued support for Morocco’s fuel price liberalization policy, introduced in 2015 when the government ended fuel subsidies and removed price controls.
Since then, fuel prices have been determined by market forces, a system that has generated recurring public debate during periods of elevated global oil prices.
Critics argue the liberalized market has enabled fuel distributors to maintain high profit margins at the expense of consumers, while supporters contend that government price controls could discourage private investment and disrupt fuel supplies.
The union also renewed its call to restart operations at the Samir refinery in Mohammedia, Morocco’s only oil refinery, which has remained idle since 2015 after entering financial distress.
It blamed successive governments for failing to prevent the refinery’s collapse, citing its privatization, the management of its former owner and what it described as years of inaction as the company’s financial problems deepened.
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