Nursing professionals in Morocco are staging local protests across the nation on December 24-27, voicing vehement dissatisfaction with the Ministry’s contracting policy and a demand for compensation as well as a salary increase.
The National Coordination of Students, Laureate, and Nurses of Higher Institutes of Nursing and Health Technologies, according to an official statement, condemned the lack of salary increases for nurses, as well as the absence of compensation for nursing students who bear the burden of the sector’s human resources shortage.
Students also share the occupational risks with professionals in the sector without receiving compensation for hospital training and night shift, the statement highlighted.
The National Coordination additionally vowed to hold a nationwide protest in case the Ministry continues to neglect their demands, particularly financial compensation.
“We, as students and nursing professionals, strongly oppose any form of contractual agreements as they threaten our financial stability,” explained Said El Karmoudi, a member of the National Media Committee.
In a statement to Hespress EN, El Karmoudi said that this policy, if implemented, could jeopardize the financial and moral stability of nursing professionals, which correspondingly may yield a drop in the quality of services offered to Moroccan citizens.
He additionally called for the implementation of a decree that ensures fair compensation for hospital training including night shifts that nursing students undergo in public hospitals.
“It’s unfair that other individuals within the healthcare sector receive paid for their training, while nursing students do not,” criticized El Karmoudi.
He added that the shortage encountered in the sector is partially addressed through nursing students’ training with no compensation offered in return. Students also bear the expenses of commuting between hospitals.
The member of the National Media Committee also emphasized the pressing need for fair and adequate salaries for nurses, stating that current salaries of 6400-6700 MAD are insufficient due to inflation. The goal is to ensure dignified lives and provide high-quality care for citizens.
In addition, he highlighted the inadequate compensation for the occupational risks faced by nurses in their daily work, compared to other categories in the same sector who receive significantly higher pay.
“If dialogue with Ministry –which is planned to take place from 26 to 28th—did not yield in positive results, it may lead to further escalation plan, including boycotting theoretical lessons, potential strikes, a national protest in Rabat,” threatened El Karmoudi.
The proposal put forward by the National Coordination, of which Hespress EN obtained a copy, encompassed mainly financial demands, targeting training hours, occupational risks, and the End-of-Semester-Project expenses.
Training hours will be rewarded, as suggested by the Coordination, at the rate of 20 MAD per hour, which will include transportation, meals, and work expenditures.
Occupational risks will be reimbursed in the range of 200 to 400 MAD, depending on academic level.
Graduation research expenditures of 4200 MAD will be reimbursed, covering transportation, printing, internet access, and purchased devices.
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