Moroccan workers mark World Labor Day
Morocco, Economics, 5/2/2000

Moroccan workers marked on Monday the World Labor Day (May 1st) amidst hopes for more improvements of their conditions after the recent conclusion of an accord with the government and the employers on some of their grievances.

The Democratic Labor Confederation (CDT), one of Morocco's major trade unions, said the accord signed last April 23, meets the workers' minimal grievances.

CDT secretary-general, Noubir Amaoui, said the labor class will carry on its struggle to bring the partners abide by the provisions of the accord, dubbed the Moharram 19 Accord.

The agreement provides for a 10% increase in the guaranteed inter-professional minimum salary which would be set at 1,815 Dhs ($181.5) as of next July. Other provisions of the agreement include the generalization of internal promotion in Moroccan public administration starting 2001, the creation of 17,000 new jobs in public service by turn of current fiscal year and a permanent status to provisional employees by 2001.

Under the agreement, the government also undertakes to improve social welfare, reconsider the taxes imposed on wage-earners and set up a tripartite committee to see to the agreement enforcement.

The accord is a new step forward, Amaoui said, before calling for a better exploitation of Morocco's riches, while securing workers' rights.

For its part, the General Union of Morocco's Workers (UGTM/close to the Istiqlal party), the second trade union which signed the agreement called for more mobilization to ensure the implementation of the accord.

Ms. Khadija Zoumi, UGTM regional secretary in Rabat, underlined that the Moroccan labor class is marking May 1st amidst individual and collective sacking of workers, the hike in unemployment rates and an ever-deteriorating purchasing power.

She denounced "the government's refusal to meet workers' grievances" and called for unity among the various trade unions.

Previous Stories:
  Labor Day: Minister stresses need for better distribution of wealth   (5/1/2000)
  Prime minister issues instructions for social conflicts settlement   (4/26/2000)
  Moroccan ports staff end strike   (4/24/2000)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search