Sugar plants strike costs Morocco $4.5 million

The week-long strike observed in Morocco's sugar plants have cost the kingdom around $4.5 million, Moroccan Industry Minister Alami Tazi told Tuesday the chamber of advisors (upper house of the Moroccan Parliament).

The authorities have decided to set up a commission gathering delegates from the departments of Finance, Industry, Employment and Agriculture, Alami Tazi added. The commission will meet Friday for the signing of an accord meeting the sugar plant workers' social grievances, he announced.

The Moroccan minister said further that the production of sugar beets will reach this year four million tons while that of sugar cane will exceed 21 million tons, which will meet 65% of Morocco's sugar needs.