Moroccan trade unions call for civil service overhaul

27/02/2008

Three of Morocco's labour unions staged a protest on Tuesday to convince the government to reform the country's antiquated civil service regulations. Government leaders claim the rules have been updated in certain ways, but acknowledge that more work remains.

By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 27/02/08

[Sarah Touahri] Moroccan labour unions are protesting civil service regulations they claim have not adapted to the modern workplace. The groups hope a more efficient civil service will restore popular confidence in the administration.

Union leaders in Morocco staged a sit-in on Tuesday (February 26th) to call for the overhaul of civil service regulations that date back to 1958. Protestors representing the Democratic Workers' Federation (FDT), the Moroccan Workers' Organisation (ODT) and the Moroccan Workers' Union (UMT) say the laws have failed to keep pace with changes to the Moroccan economy over the last five decades.

To attract the attention of key departments, the protest was held outside the head offices of Mohamed Abbou, minister delegate for public sector modernisation. According to the union leaders, this preventive stoppage was staged in the hope that a national debate could begin between the government, unions and researchers.

Mohamed Hakech from the UMT told Magharebia that the general civil service regulations were inherited from France. "They include a lot of contradictions and overlap. We must ask ourselves whether our requirements are the same as they were in 1958, given the economic, social and political development since then. The debate over a complete overhaul must begin," he said.

Abdelhamid Fatihi, assistant secretary-general of the FDT struck the same note, saying it is time to introduce radical new measures to the law, particularly concerning the notation system. He also proposes adopting the incentive and evaluation mechanisms seen in private sector organisations. The unions hope that boosting the efficiency of the civil service will restore the people's confidence in public administration.

Meanwhile, the government has expressed satisfaction with reforms already introduced into the civil service. Minister Delegate Mohamed Abbou has indicated that, contrary to the opinions voiced by union organisations, the civil service regulations have not remained unchanged, and there have been some 12 amendments introduced.

"The reforms have covered the opening up of competition for access to civil service training, clarification of the rules on the allowance system, the introduction of measures to encourage flexible schedules and adjustments to the length of maternity leave to match international agreements," Abbou explained.

Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi has acknowledged that the sector needs a new breath of life. "At this time, the civil service needs a wide-ranging, in-depth debate about bringing in a system developed on the basis of modern management, aimed at making the best use of human resources to make it easier to reach Morocco's socio-economic development targets," he said Monday, at a national conference on civil service.

The prime minister pointed out the need for the recruitment system to be permanently changed in accordance with principles of transparency and equality of opportunity. He said the government must also consider the changing needs of the administration in terms of skills and expertise.

According to the department of public sector modernisation, reforms must consider merits, skills, contribution, productivity and creative capacity in order for a civil servant's training to reflect his or her efforts, perseverance and contribution. A critical review of the salary structure in dialogue and co-operation with the public is also necessary, officials said.