Moroccan nursing staff announces 48-hour nationwide strike over 'government inaction'

The Independent Nurses Union vowed to escalate its protests and strikes in response to “the government’s procrastination and evasion of its commitments towards nursing staff,” declaring “a 48-hour nationwide strike on February 28th and 29th, except for emergency departments, intensive care units, and critical care units.”

In an official statement, the Independent Nurses Union and Health Technicians considered “the next phase to be crucial and pivotal in their protest,” emphasizing that “it must culminate in an agreement that does justice the backbone of the healthcare system.” Otherwise, “they vowed for further escalation.”

The union raised concern over “the government’s lack of response to the demands of nurses and health technicians, along with its delay in addressing their issues.”

It additionally criticized “the government’s disregard for social dialogue agreements,” questioning “its commitment to meeting future governmental obligations and heeding the King’s call for institutional seriousness.”

“Despite the restrictions and blockade as well the thwarted march to the Ministry of Health, we strongly believe that the future of nurses and health technicians in our country demands further protests to assert our rights and protect our hard-won gains,” underscored the union.

The statement went on to say that “amidst the escalating tension and deep crisis in the health sector, calling for reform is imperative,” but “this call was met with a lack of seriousness and rationality in implementation, jeopardizing the future of the desired change in the sector.”

The union warned that “the delay in implementing the legal framework concerning the work of nurses and health technicians,” not only leads to but will persistently claim victims within the system and victims of the artificial legal void.”

Last Saturday, public forces surrounded a massive protest staged by the Independent Union of Nurses and Health Technicians in front of the Parliament headquarters. They blocked the protest from evolving into a march to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, as intended.

The Union previously stated, “their action was in response to unresolved issues including salary increases, justice for victims of the 2017 decree, recognition of veteran nurses, and the establishment of a comprehensive healthcare framework with compensations.”