Moroccan social minister calls employers, trade unions to avert strikes

Morocco's minister of social development, solidarity, employment and vocational training, Khalid Alioua, called Thursday on employers and trade unions to resolve their disputes and avert strikes that affect the workers' material situation and the country's economy.

The minister, who is also the spokesman for the government, told a meeting with the employers association "CGEM" and three trade unions to settle their problems through dialogue and consultation.

The arbitration and investigation commission in charge of examining labor disputes will hold a weekly meeting to examine social conflicts, said the minister, adding that these meetings are part of the government's commitment to improve the labor situation and guarantee best conditions for economic development.

Alioua also announced that his department is planning to improve the performance of labor inspectors and create 16 regional occupational medicine inspections. A literacy program was also drawn up for workers and a draft law on continuous training will be submitted to the parliament, he added.

The trade unions' delegates to the meeting stressed the need to initiate a constructive dialogue between employers and workers and to find solutions to labor conflicts.

For the employers, the present economic context requires that workers show some flexibility.

Only minor trade unions attended the meeting while the more popular CDT and UGTM (both close to former opposition parties which are now represented in the government) withdrew from the session.