Trade unions laud social dialogue deal
Morocco, Politics, 5/3/2003

Several Moroccan trade unions marked this year's May Day on a note of optimism, following the announcement of a deal on workers' grievances announced by the government in the evening of April 30.

The agreement signed between the government, unions and employers is "a historic step" forward, said Secretary General of the Labour Democratic Confederation (CDT), Noubir Amaoui.

Speaking at a May Day rally in Casablanca, Amaoui said the accord marks a decisive turning point that ushers in a new era in Morocco. "What we could achieve yesterday honours the unionist movement in Morocco," he said.

The CDT chief pointed to the positive results of the social dialogue, such as preservation of union freedoms, adaptation of national legislation to international conventions, generalization of the Guaranteed Minimum Wage in public, semi-public and sectors and the 10% rise in minimum wages.

Secretary General of the General Union of Moroccan Workers (UGTM), Abderrazak Afilal, said the positive results of the social dialogue were possible "thanks to the different partners' joint efforts."

He hailed commitment made by the government to implement the Guaranteed Minimum Wage in the public sector, which will guarantee a 300 Dirham rise for public service workers and a 10% rise for private sector employees.

These assets are a "minimum," and "a starting point," for this dialogue, which all the parties are engaged to carry on, Afilal said, calling on unions to form a strong and unified front for the defence of workers' rights.

For Secretary General of the Istiqlal Party (in government), Abbas El Fassi, lauded the fact that private sector workers will work 44 hours instead of 48, adding that early retirement will favour young people's recruitment.

Besides agreement on workers major grievances, the government and its social partners also reached consensus on a new draft labour code.

"We have come around a consensus on pending issues concerning the draft labour code," said Prime Minister, Driss Jettou, who was presenting the results of the social dialogue.

The draft is set to help modernize professional relations within enterprises based on upholding all the parties' rights, he stressed.

The draft reduces weekly working hours from 48 to 44, stipulates compensation in case of job loss.

The Prime Minister described the new draft labour code as leverage to foreign investments in Morocco.

The government and trade unions agreed on mechanisms whereby social conflicts will be settled, a legal framework regulating strikes in such a way to guarantee the wielding of "this constitutional right on one hand and work freedom on the other."

Other broad lines of the social dialogue results include competitive loans rates for employees and repayment deadlines extension from 12/15 years currently, to 20/25 years.

The deal provides for public support through mobilization of the state and local councils real estate to reduce the cost of low-cost housing to between 80.000 and 120.000 DH instead of 200.000 DH, currently.

The text also provides for right to strike, voluntary early retirement at the age of 55, reduction of weekly working hours to 44 hours from 48 presently. Under the deal, women will have their motherhood holidays extended from 12 to 14 weeks.

Previous Stories:
  King Mohammed congratulates Qatar's Amir on new constitution   (5/2/2003)
  Social consensus marks May day in Morocco, press   (5/2/2003)
  Morocco's government, unions agree on labor code draft on may day eve   (5/2/2003)

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