As prices tighten around necks, Moroccans increasingly favorable to ‘side-hustles’ 

From young professionals to established middle-aged seasoned public servants, complaints about rising prices, soaring service fees and stagnant wages and salaries have taken over public discourse in 2024. 

After years of successive international and domestic events that pivoted every Moroccan’s life, inflation rates reached 6.1% for the full year 2023, compared to 2022, as the country continues to be affected by rising commodity prices, especially energy. 

A drought for the fifth consecutive year, government plans for direct social aid by eliminating indirect subsidies, and persistent COVID-19 remnants are making citizens’ lives harder.

Food prices alone have noted a 12.5% rise in 2023.

Alongside mobilizations for higher wages in the public sector, the private sector’s mostly younger professionals are resorting to methods outside their places of work, taking on part-time work or looking for alternative sources of income. 

Younes AB, a 27-year-old supply chain manager on the outskirts of Rabat, ventured into a “side hustle” late last year when he realized the salary he had agreed to for his new job was not aligned with new economic conditions and Rabat’s high cost of living. 

Since then, Younes opened an online store selling chinese-made small home appliances and cleaning gadgets. 

“The idea was not original, but business is good,” says the young professional, explaining that while his small business has yet to generate enough income for him to be satisfied, it is off to a promising start. 

“I don’t want to have to keep up with both a full time job and a business, it’s not ideal, but I would much rather grow this project and make it into my full time profession,” Younes tells Hespress EN.

The supply chain manager however, was privileged enough to start his business. Thanks to about 3-years’ worth of savings, a stellar knowledge of trade norms and professional contacts in the industry, he was able to kick-start his project smoothly. Others are not so lucky. 

Prior to this job, he also worked throughout his university career as a freelance photographer, saving most of his income and living off the allowance his parents gave him monthly. 

“I lived in a relatively cheap city, so I was able to avoid spending too much on necessities from the cash I made through photography,” but after moving to the capital, Younes quickly realized the cost of living was vastly different, and that photography was not going to help much. 

 Idriss B., a married 42-year-old father of four, was an engineer with a bright future ahead of him, working for a local commune in the Zaer region. After long days of work and hours that stretch beyond expectations, the father gets in his car, logs onto the InDriver app, and hunts for rides until 2 in the morning. 

 I would do anything for my family, if that means i’ll have to work 10 jobs, then that’s what I will do.”

 Idriss receives a decent wage, but due to rising prices of food goods, school fees, and heading a single-income household, he has found it difficult to keep up with basic necessities. 

 “Since I work in the public sector, eligibility for wage increases remains dependent on time spent served at a certain position,” he explains, saying he would have to wait for four to five more years before seeing his salary increase. 

 In the meantime, his eldest daughter is preparing to graduate high school, which he says is already showing signs of increased spending. 

 “Tutoring classes alone are costing me a significant amount, and if she gets into a university in a different city, I would then have to manage two households, so I am already fearing for what’s to come.”

 Idriss’ part-time job also puts him at great risk. InDriver professionals still operate irregularly in Morocco and continue to face threats of physical and verbal violence from angry taxis across Morocco, who vehemently refuse the additional competition. 

 Though the Moroccan government agreed to a MAD 1,000 wage increase for civil servants in late April this year and continues to promise private salary increases, many have given up on economic mobility and are embracing small businesses and “side hustles” to make ends meet.