IndustriALL Global Union

01/21/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 01/20/2025 23:52

Moroccan unions protest against draft strike law

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21 January, 2025On 5 January, Moroccan unions led nationwide protests against a draft strike law, calling it an assault on trade union freedoms. The Democratic Confederation of Labour (CDT) and the Moroccan Union of Labour (UMT) urged workers to unite against the government's unilateral move to impose what they called a law 'shackling union work.'

Unions oppose the lack of dialogue and restrictive measures. The proposed law narrows strike definitions to labour-specific demands, excluding protests over living costs or government policies. It penalizes unions for non-compliance, involves the judiciary in labour disputes, and mandates forced labour by requiring workers to work during strikes - measures the unions strongly reject.

In December last year, Morocco's House of Representatives approved a revised strike law with 124 votes in favoor and 41 against. The government advanced a revised strike law to the House of Representatives, where it was debated and approved in late 2024 before moving to the House of Councilors. Unions now hope to leverage councilors and protest to prompt another debate before finalization.

On 6 January, heated debates erupted in the House of Councilors' committee as unions rejected discussing the strike law draft and demanded renewed negotiations, but talks ended in a stalemate.

The CDT urged workers to join the protests against the government's attack on labour rights, particularly the right to strike. Marches in Souss Massa, Laayoune and Dakhla were blocked by security forces.

Unions vow to continue protests

The CDT protested the exclusionary approach to the draft strike law, accusing the government of rushing it to parliament without consensus. In a January meeting with the minister of economic inclusion, the union rejected the draft as unconstitutional and contrary to international conventions. They demanded comprehensive amendments, tripartite negotiations, and protections for the right to strike. The delegation also called for resuming the September 2024 social dialogue round as per the government's agreement.

"Striking is a last resort but sometimes the only tool workers have to protect themselves. IndustriALL will never silently watch that fundamental right being attacked. We stand in solidarity with the workers in Morocco. It is their right to strike and demand better lives for themselves and their families and this obviously includes should the right to strike against dramatic increases in the cost of living or government policies that have a direct impact on workers,"

says Atle Høie, IndustriALL general secretary.