Read this article in:
English
4 February, 2025Trade unions unite in protest against government policies affecting workers' rights and purchasing power. This follows on nationwide protests last month.
A nationwide general strike will take place in Morocco on 5 and 6 February, as trade unions protest against government policies they say undermine workers' rights and erode purchasing power.
The Confédération Démocratique du Travail (CDT) announced the strike following a meeting of its National Council in Casablanca on 1 February. The Union Marocaine du Travail (UMT) confirmed its participation on 2 February. Other unions, including the Democratic Organisation of Labour, the Federation of Democratic Trade Unions, and the National Federation of Labour, are also backing the strike call.
At the heart of the dispute is the government’s proposed legislation on strike regulation, along with a controversial plan to merge the National Fund for Social Reserve Organisations (CNOPS) into the National Social Security Fund (CNSS). Unions argue that these reforms will erode workers' hard-won gains, weaken trade union rights, and harm the benefits of insured employees.
Union leaders have accused the government of:
- Ignoring social dialogue and bypassing trade unions in key decision-making.
- Forcing through unpopular laws with a parliamentary majority, without consensus
- Failing to control rising inflation and worsening the economic burden on citizens
- Undermining the right to strike, a constitutionally protected right
Moroccan trade unions also criticise the government for its handling of inflation, arguing that rising prices are exacerbating poverty and social vulnerability.
In a statement issued on 2 February, the UMT, said the strike is called to demand price controls to limit inflation and speculation, the suspension of the draft strike law, due for discussion in the House of Councillors on 3 February, and urgent negotiations on labour rights and economic policies.
Says IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie:
“We stand in solidarity with Morocco’s workers who are protesting against the government’s disregard for their rights and wellbeing. We urge the government of Morocco to heed the call and engage with the unions for a better future for the workers in the country. And we strongly call for all discussions on limiting the right to strike, a fundamental workers’ right, to end immediately.”
Photo: Protesting workers in Morocco, January 2025