Moroccan Government studies its emergency aid program for transportation professionals

The Moroccan government is studying transportation professionals’ aid program with utter discretion and secrecy, as it confines its meetings on the matter to the Presidency of the Government and the Ministries of Finance and Interior.

According to what a Hespress AR source, a small committee consisting of the government’s presidency, Faouzi Lekjaa, Minister Delegate to the Ministry of Finance and Economy in charge of the budget, and a representative of the Ministry of Interior, is studying three possible scenarios in order to implement the decision.

Transportation professionals have been protesting for weeks now, due to rising fuel prices and the lack of government intervention amid soaring inflation. Last week, the government announced its plans to initiate dialogue with the professionals’ representatives, who are demanding financial aid and fiscal exemptions.

Hespress AR sources said that “since the decision is related to public finance, it is natural for the government to take its time in discussion and studying the possible aid package.”

In response to the inquiries surrounding this emergency and exceptional program, the most important of which is about the beneficiaries of the financial support, the same source said that “the government is studying the requirement of the decision to announce the requirements,” but confirmed that undeclared informal workers will likely be left out from the aid package.

The government intends on implementing the direct support temporarily in response to the current tough situation, provided that it stops after momentary stability in international fuel prices, by offering alternatives such as creating a unified registry for the transport sector.

The government additionally intends to expedite the approval of a draft decree related to the basic compulsory insurance system for sickness for transport professionals who have a professional driver’s card, according to the Hespress AR sources.

Transport professionals have been on strike since yesterday, and are set to continue protesting until the announcement of the government’s final aid program.