Morocco: Workers Send Clear Message to Government in National Strike

Moroccan workers have sent a clear message to the government to re-establish social dialogue and negotiation with the country’s trade unions with a nationwide strike in the public service and local authorities yesterday.

The three ITUC affiliates, UMT, CDT and UGTM, which jointly organised the strike along with the fourth national centre FDT, have reported a strong response from workers to their call for action, with 80% of workers taking part overall and in some areas, 100%.

Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary, said “The Moroccan government effectively ceased social dialogue and negotiation with the unions in 2013. This has affected people’s living standards, employment conditions and also their retirement arrangements. This widely supported strike has made it clear to the government that dialogue must resume, and that the squeeze on living standards being felt by working families must be tackled. We call on the government to re-start a proper dialogue with the union movement, which is the only effective way to ensure a fair deal for workers and avoid further industrial action.”

For more information, please contact the ITUC Press Department on: +32 2 224 02 04