Moroccan government, trade unions meet to settle disputes

2007-04-13

Morocco's government is holding meetings with trade unions to open dialogue and resolve issues such as the Labour Code, minimum salaries, pension reform and the new bill on traffic regulations.

By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 13/04/2007

[Sarah Touahri] Driss Jettou has chaired the dialogue meetings

Under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Driss Jettou, Morocco's government began a series of talks on Monday (April 9th) with trade union confederations in a bid to open dialogue between the two sides. The government is approaching each union organisation individually, though their demands are largely similar. Enforcement of the Labour Code in particular ranks high on union agendas.

Noubir Amaoui, Secretary-General of the Democratic Labour Confederation, told Magharebia that his union has discussed a number of demands with the government. In ten days’ time, further meetings will be held to allow the government to respond to union demands. Unionists are unwilling to comment on the negotiations until they receive the government's decisions at the next meeting.

According to Miloud Moukharik of the Moroccan Labour Union’s General Secretariat, it is now time to fully observe and enforce the Labour Code, which was enacted two years ago. The government has proposed applying the Code in phases by encouraging companies to voluntarily enforce labour laws. This plan has been rejected by trade unionists who believe that the law should apply equally to all companies without exception.

Moukharik said that both public and private sector salaries should be increased, especially as the cost of living has continued to rise. His union is demanding that the guaranteed minimum salaries, currently set at 1600 dirhams, be increased by at least 20%.

Trade unions have short-listed a number of labour issues on their agenda. In addition to the Labour Code, respect for union rights also crops up frequently. Trade unionists claim that these rights are still being violated by local government. Moukharik says that many employees are dismissed or treated poorly because of their union activity. Specific cases have already been presented to the Prime Minister. Larbi Habachi of the Democratic Labour Federation says that laws are being flouted in several sectors and that in his view, many trade unionists in a wide range of workplaces are still being deprived of their right to join unions.

Another subject broached during talks has been the redeployment of civil servants. Trade unionists are not opposed to the idea, but are calling for a transparent process with special terms guaranteeing reasonable compensation and the opportunity to do voluntary work. The Ministry for Public Sector Modernisation has proposed two kinds of redundancy payments, the first equal to six months’ pay and the second varying between 15,000 and 50,000 dirhams, depending on the region.

The traffic regulations bill is at the top of the list of demands being made by trade unions after a number of transport workers went on strike last week, paralysing the country to such an extent that the Ministry of Transport has been under fire from business leaders over the issue.

Pension reform is another important item on the agenda. Civil servants and employees are eagerly awaiting the government's decision on whether the retirement age will be raised to 65. The committee charged with this matter is due to meet at the end of April.