Morocco signs cooperation accord with International Labor Office

Morocco and the International Labor Office signed wednesday here a cooperation accord providing for the promotion of employment and the development of human resources in Morocco's micro-businesses.

The 3-year deal, covering the 1999-2001 period, seeks to reinforce Morocco's labor legislation, upgrade social coverage, modernize labor management and enhance workers Unions.

The accord was concluded on the occasion of the visit ILO chief, Michel Hansen, is paying to Morocco since last weekend.

The ILO head had met so far with a number of Moroccan cabinet members including premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi and minister of social development and employment, Khalid Alioua.Talks focused on the importance of the signed accord in boosting cooperation between Morocco and ILO in matters of employment, social coverage and related sectors.The efforts made by Morocco to protect the workers rights, modernize labor legislation, combat poverty and unemployment were also tackled during the talks.

The ILO chief will attend next week the International Social Welfare Conference due in the Moroccan southern city of Marrakesh. The conference's agenda includes debates on the current situation and future of social welfare bodies.Participants will also discuss ways of improving management, services, working procedures and the use of computing techniques.