Moroccans take to the streets on Labor Day, echoing familiar demands

On the international labour day of this year, various Moroccan cities witnessed significant union, professional and civilian marches, with similar demands to recent demonstrations for government interference.

In light of a persistent economic crisis, activists took to the streets across over 50 Moroccan cities, calling for respect and dignity for the country’s workers and professionals.

The capital Rabat witnessed activities commemorating the International Workers’ Day through a collective outing for trade unions and sectorial groups.

Amid a remarkable security presence, tight security managed to ensure a smooth march, although authorities decided to close off certain popular demonstration areas, such as the city centre’s parliament square.

Since 10 am today, Monday, a number of activists and members of the trade union offices of different organisations, as well as the sectoral trade unions representing workers in education, health, taxis, post offices, communications, justice, and others, have flocked the capital’s streets on this holiday.

There were many scenes of protests and sit-ins, with banners and slogans with ample demands that echo a common message of respect for the working class.

While the masses of each union center were stationed in front of its national or regional headquarters in Rabat, the activists of the National University of Education (FNE) gathered in the square opposite the parliament, demanding an urgent resolution to their contention with Minister Benmoussa.

For its part, the General Union of Workers in Morocco (UNTM) set up a platform in front of the entrance to the “Nouzhat Hassan” park, before the marches successively toured Mohammed V Avenue and Alal Ben Abdullah Street.

Protestors chanted familiar demands raised every May 1, the most important of which is the “increase in wages and the reduction of income tax,” denouncing “the failure of the government and its sectors to activate the contents of the agreement of April 30, 2022,” a year after its conclusion.

For this year, trade union centers called for large-scale mobilizations on May 1, in line with the issues at stake at the time, such as the dwindling purchasing power of citizens, pending wage increases, and a delayed pensions reform.

While the demonstrations marking Labor Day have been rather faint in recent years due to the pandemic context, unions had hoped that those of 2023 will be massive, as they all issued statements ahead of this Monday, to rally their members and ensure significant turnout.