5 December, 2024A recent wave of fatal accidents in Morocco’s textile and garment sector has shed light on difficult working conditions and a lack of health and safety measures. IndustriALL Global Union and its affiliate, SNTHC-CDT, are leading efforts to address these issues, with an optimistic meeting with the Ministry of Labour, marking a step toward long-term solutions.
In recent weeks, industrial accidents in the textile and garment sector have claimed lives and left workers injured. Fires in factories in Fez, Casablanca, and Tangier caused by unsafe practices, including the use of gas-fired boilers, led to the death of one worker and hospitalizations for others suffering severe burns.
These incidents underscore a growing problem in Morocco’s textile, garment, and leather (TGSL) sector, which has expanded rapidly to meet demands from global brands. Despite this growth, health and safety conditions remain clearly inadequate, putting workers at significant risk.
In response IndustriALL affiliate, the Syndicat National de Textile Habillements et Cuirs (SNTHC-CDT), launched a campaign to address the deteriorating working conditions and lack of safety measures. On 15 November, the union issued a call for a national debate to bring together stakeholders to put together a strategy for improving health and safety in the TGSL sector.
The union’s advocacy efforts led to a meeting with the Ministry of Labour in Rabat on 29 November. The meeting, attended by Hicham Sabri, secretary of state, as well as union leaders, including SNTHC-CDT general secretary Ahmed Hassoun, focused on addressing the urgent need for health and safety improvements.
“The meeting was positive as the ministry took note of SNTHC-CDT's request to hold a national debate bringing together all stakeholders in the sector,” said Hassoun. “We also informed the minister about the ACCORD agreement and stressed the importance of its implementation in Morocco. As a result, the Ministry undertook to organise a meeting with representatives of ACCORD, IndustriALL, and SNTHC-CDT to further discuss the possibilities of implementing ACCORD in Morocco.”
The delegation highlighted the role of employers in failing to adhere to health and safety laws and raised concerns about inhumane working conditions in underground facilities. They urged the Ministry to stop these practices and develop a national strategy for implementing effective health and safety measures.
IndustriALL’s general secretary Atle Høie emphasized the importance of fast action:
“We are deeply saddened by the news of such frequent accidents in the sector in Morocco. We welcome the results of the meeting between the Minister and the SNTHC-CDT, which is part of the union's ongoing efforts and initiatives to address such a serious situation. Time is not on our side. We need stronger actions. An agreement to bring the International ACCORD to Morocco would be a big step in the right direction."
With a commitment from the Ministry to engage with ACCORD representatives, IndustriALL, and SNTHC-CDT, there is hope for meaningful change. The focus will remain on building strong health and safety mechanisms and ensuring accountability within Morocco’s growing textile and garment sector.