Transport strikers and Moroccan government reach agreement

2007-06-13

At a meeting in early June, representatives of the Moroccan government and transport unions identified steps to move forward in resolving disputes over a draft highway law which drivers and hauliers found too strict.

By Hassan Benmahdi for Magharebia in Casablanca—13/06/07

[Hassan Benmahdi] The agreement between transport workers and the government addressed the social conditions of those working in the sector

A June 4th meeting between Karim Ghellab, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, and the National Transport Coordination Committee ended with general agreement on the steps necessary to overhaul the transport sector in Morocco. The meeting in Casablanca was the culmination of negotiations which began on April 5th, when transport unions agreed to temporarily halt their strike while they discussed a draft highway law with the government.

The agreement between the government and the transport sector focuses on amendments to draft law 52-05, which relates to the new Highway Code and the social conditions of those working in transportation. Both sides agreed to reduce fines and remove clauses which allow the government to confiscate drivers' licences following an accident.

Transport Minister Karim Ghellab, accompanied by representatives from the Ministry of Justice, the royal gendarmerie, the judicial police, the prime minister’s office, the housing and finance ministries, and the Wali of Casablanca, highlighted the government’s desire to pursue the overhaul of the transport sector. In a press statement, he indicated that the scope of the negotiations had widened as the taxi drivers’ and hauliers’ complaints had been heard.

In addition to discussions of the law itself, the meeting in Casablanca focused on social issues and gave representatives of the transport industry an opportunity to offer their input on a restructuring of the sector. Transport workers reportedly secured the right to be represented in Trade Associations and the government promised to introduce specific measures allowing them access to housing, bank credit, pensions and medical coverage. Unionised workers suggested that the government create a new fund to finance housing and simplify the procedures which govern the acquisition of housing credit. The Committee also proposed that taxi vehicles be exempt from customs duties.

The unions described the outcome of the negotiations as decisive and important for the overhaul of the profession. National Transport Coordination Committee member Ahmed Elwarrak was keen to point out that "if the government manages to respond to the majority of our demands, we shall bury the hatchet once and for all."

Moustapha El Kihel, Secretary General of the Casablanca taxi union, said that although the meeting was itself a necessary initiative for the social dialogue process, he remains sceptical. "The government has promised that we will benefit from certain social advantages and an overhaul of our profession, but the main thing for us remains whether these promises are actually kept."

"What worries us most is that they could just be making electoral promises to calm things down when the country is just a few months away from the legislative elections," El Kihel said.

The many weeks of negotiations appear to be drawing to a close. Although the transport unions say they are willing to be patient, they will persist in their demands. "We must wait and fight to the end for our rights," said El Kihel.