Associations representing third-party road freight operators at Moroccan ports plan to stop work from September 14, raising the prospect of disruption to the movement of imported and exported goods unless the government opens negotiations.
In a joint statement, the industry groups said the stoppage would continue until authorities begin what they described as serious talks and address longstanding financial and regulatory complaints. They notified the Head of Government’s office and the interior, transport and finance ministries of the planned action.
At the center of the dispute is the government’s fuel subsidy for road transport operators. Port haulers said the assistance amounts to about 0.50 dirhams per liter of diesel, which they consider insufficient to offset operating costs. They want the subsidy increased and paid regularly each month.
Fuel support has remained contentious across Morocco’s freight industry as diesel prices have risen and some payments have been delayed or reduced. Separate freight unions recently objected to plans to lower an outstanding subsidy installment for the second half of July by 40% compared with previous payments.
Cash flow is another source of pressure. The port transport groups objected to the withholding at source of 75% of the value-added tax due on certain transactions, arguing that the mechanism deprives companies of money needed for daily operations. The figure refers to the share of VAT withheld, not a 75% VAT rate.
Operators also criticized the program supporting the renewal and scrapping of older trucks, saying its grants are too small. According to the statement, tax authorities have required some recipients to repay VAT included in their grants, leaving companies with unresolved tax liabilities and preventing them from obtaining tax-clearance certificates.
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