Morocco has not ratified ILO Convention 87 on freedom of association and protection of the right to organise, which, according to the ITUC, goes some way towards explaining why forming a trade union remains a difficult process in the country. At the same time, the report points out that the rapid growth in subcontracting and temporary employment is often accompanied by a deterioration in working conditions.
For Guy Ryder, general secretary of the ITUC: "At a time of increasing global market integration, it is essential that all workers be able to fully exercise the fundamental right of freedom of association. This is why we are strongly urging Morocco to ratify ILO Convention 87."
Although Morocco has ratified the ILO Conventions on the principle of non-discrimination, the ITUC report denounces the numerous abuses still faced by women in the area of employment. According to the report, women are paid one third less than men for work of equal value; the illiteracy rate among women is virtually twice that among men, and women are overrepresented in sectors with the most precarious working conditions, such as agriculture, domestic work, textiles, and the informal economy.
Morocco has ratified the Conventions concerning child labour. However, the report points out that child labour is still a serious problem in the country, and the sanctions applied in the event of an infringement are not sufficiently dissuasive.
Morocco has ratified the Conventions concerning forced labour. However, the report draws attention to the areas where Moroccan legislation fails to comply with the ILO Conventions. The report places particular emphasis on the case of domestic workers, often girls aged under 18, whose working conditions can often be likened to forced labour.
The ITUC represents 170 million workers in 312 affiliated national organisations from 157 countries and territories. http://www.youtube.com/ITUCCSI
For more information please contact the ITUC Press Department on: +32 2 224 0204 or +32 476 621 018
Photo: El Romano
