Government promises to address trade unions' urgent grievances

The Moroccan government will address the trade unions' urgent grievances, Moroccan government spokesman Khalid Alioua said in Casablanca last week.

Alioua, who is also minister of social development, solidarity, employment and vocational training, made the statement before the 8th national congress of the General Union of Morocco's Workers (UGTM/close to the Istiqlal party which is participating in the center-left coalition government).

Alioua told the UGTM militants that King Mohammed VI has instructed the government to grant importance to social issues. He added that the government will start in the coming days dialogue with the UGTM over its claims.

After he insisted that the Socialist-led coalition government is determined to improve the situation of workers, the minister recalled recent measures, mainly increasing compensation for occupational accidents. He also announced that the National Social Security Board (CNSS) will meet shortly to settle problems of wage-earners, mainly retired persons.

Alioua also invited the trade unions for a meeting with the government over job creation.

The UGTM re-elected Abderrazak Afilal as its secretary general.