Moroccan community in Libya faces uncertainty amid new government measures

Many foreign nationals in Libya, particularly Moroccans, are grappling with new government regulations that threaten their future in the country. The measures, introduced by the Libyan Government of National Unity, are aimed at organizing the affairs of foreign workers but have sparked widespread dissatisfaction within the Moroccan community.

The new regulations, which include steep increases in residency fees and heavy fines for failure to renew residency permits, have left many Moroccans struggling to maintain their legal status.

These changes come amid growing concerns about the potential for deportation, particularly as the government seeks to address the influx of foreign workers in a country already facing significant economic challenges.

Ali El Abid, Libya’s Minister of Labor and Rehabilitation, said in a television interview on Sunday that the number of foreign workers in Libya exceeds two million. El Abid explained that the government is working to organize this sector by gathering data on foreign workers, including their professions and the regions in which they operate.

“We have launched the ‘Wafed’ electronic platform to help regulate the foreign labor market,” El Abid said. “We are also working with the embassies of countries with large numbers of nationals in Libya to encourage them to register and authenticate their employment contracts.”

However, many Moroccan residents say they are unable to comply with these new requirements due to the absence of consular services in Libya for several years. Mohammed Jeghlaf, a Moroccan resident in Tripoli, explained that most Moroccans in the country have not renewed their residency permits for years, and the new fines for late renewal are beyond their financial means.

“The government has created a platform for registration, but without valid residency permits, many Moroccans are being fined heavily,” Jeghlaf said. “These measures are placing an unbearable burden on us, especially in light of rising living costs.”

Economic Minister Mohammed Houiyej has cited the failure of foreign workers to comply with Libyan laws as a major cause of losses in the local market, which are estimated at five billion dollars. He also emphasized that Libya will not allow foreign workers to dominate the country’s food and medicine sectors.

As tensions rise within the foreign communities, many Moroccans are considering returning to their home country, though financial constraints and the need to settle outstanding fees are delaying their departure. Others fear that deportation could be imminent, regardless of how long they have lived in Libya.

“The situation is dire,” said Azeddine Tabit, a Moroccan living in Libya. “Many of us are ready to leave, but we cannot afford to pay the fines and fees required to exit.”

While some argue that Libya has the right to regulate its foreign labor force to protect its interests, Mohammed Hassan EL Watiq, executive director of the Libyan-Moroccan Friendship Association, warned that the country’s economic instability and weak border security are exacerbating the problem.

He called on neighboring countries to cooperate in managing the flow of migrants and for the Libyan government to adopt more comprehensive economic policies.

“Libya’s economic challenges, including inflation and a devalued currency, are creating a hostile environment for foreign workers, including the Moroccan community,” EL Watiq said. “Many are now seeking a way out, as adapting to life here has become nearly impossible.”