Hundreds of health workers clashed with authorities today during a protest staged in front of the Ministry of Health. Intervening authorities ultimately dispersed the demonstration.
The demonstration follows the National Health Union’s announcement of a two-day national strike beginning today and lasting until Thursday. The strike is a response to what the unions claim is the government’s failure to address their demands.
The current strike follows a one-day warning strike last Thursday, the 29th.
This strike encompass all health institutions, including hospitals, preventative care centers, and administrative offices, except for emergency departments and intensive care units.
The unions are also organizing regional and provincial protests across the country.
According to the unions, this escalation comes as a response to the government’s alleged failure to fulfill agreements and commitments regarding the demands of healthcare workers.
Health workers hold the government responsible for not fulfilling the outcomes of the agreement signed on January 23, 2023.
The agreement was reached after a series of dialogue sessions between the unions representing the health sector, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, and a number of government departments.
The agreement included a general increase in the fixed salary of MAD 1500 net for the staff of the nursing body, health technicians, assistant nurses, and preparatory nurses, to be included in the category of compensation for occupational hazards.
A general increase in the fixed salary of MAD1200 net, to be included in the same category, for health professionals from the categories of administrative assistants, technicians and editors, transport and ambulance technicians, dental assistants and treatment assistants, administrators, and engineers.
The agreement also includes improving promotion conditions and creating a new grade.
The unions said the government has not learned from past social unrest caused by mismanagement.
The National Health Union said that it holds the government responsible for any consequences arising from its actions. These actions include jeopardizing social dialogue and its credibility and creating a tense atmosphere within the healthcare sector with its repercussions.
While the protests are ongoing, the unions called for a genuine response to the fair and legitimate demands of all healthcare professionals, starting with implementing existing agreements and resuming negotiations regarding outstanding demands.
Morocco’s health sector has been grappling with ongoing protests that erupted in December 2023, with medical students taking center stage.
These students objected to the Ministry’s decision to shorten their studies from seven to six years, raising concerns about their legal status, compensation, and workload during hospital training.
The discontent quickly spread beyond medical students, with nursing professionals joining the protests. They expressed dissatisfaction with the Ministry’s contracting policy. They demanded fair compensation, including salary increases and better recognition for their work, highlighting the lack of proper balance for their training and night shifts.
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