Marginalization and Favoritism are Hampering Morocco’s Economy

Washington DC- Over recent years, the Moroccan public has been accustomed to government spokespersons incapable of articulating basic policies, prime ministers unable to govern, legislators unequipped to understand simple parliamentary procedures, unqualified ambassadors running embassies in key capitals, and head of public policy organizations incapable of presenting a simple dissertation.

The startling reality is unqualified people hold many high-level positions in the public and semi-public sectors in the Kingdom. Nepotism and favoritism continue to dominate the hiring practices in the government and in some private sectors. This fact nullifies the government heavy investments in human capital.

In the last few decades biased hiring decision-making processes and the unfair treatment and harassment of skilled employees have discouraged competent candidates from applying; and pressed current workers to underachieve leading to a net loss to Morocco’s economic performances.

Some decision-makers are putting personal greed before national interest and endangering the very existence of a “system” that has made them rich but destroyed the potential, accomplishments and innovations of a young and vibrant workforce. Some are willing to scarify competent workers who drive economic growth and who are vital to key public services for the sake of keeping an unstainable political status quo that would ultimately collapse on its own weight.

Because of a deteriorating public education system, nepotism, incompetence and lack of transparency, the Kingdom is losing the potential contribution of thousands of highly educated Moroccans to an ailing economy.

Furthermore, Morocco is faced with a host of socio-economic problems that have stagnated the economy, tainted society and poisoned the political discourse. A mediocre education system, the alienation of qualified workers with essential expertise, the persistent poor quality of human capital, and ineffective and corrupt contract enforcement will further destabilize an economy and a job market already on a shaky footing.

On the bright side, the number of successful Moroccan immigrants thriving in their adoptive countries stands as a testament to the competence, aptitude, and talent of Moroccans and evidence of the failure of the Moroccan government to create an environment for attracting and keeping a talented workforce.

Indeed, the accomplishments of Moroccan born entrepreneurs, politicians, artists, scientists, athletes, and journalists in Spain, France, Belgium, Holland, Canada, the United States, and even Italy demonstrate that Moroccans prosper when they are given a fair and equitable chance to compete for jobs and contracts.

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It is a shame, if not a crime, that such skillful and talented workforce should immigrate to find a worthy job when Morocco would be soon facing a major skills gap and a decline in direct foreign investments.

If Moroccans come to expect and accept the poor executions of their representatives and elected officials, foreigners familiar with the laudable work of their Moroccans colleagues living abroad are always baffled with the discrepancies between the performance of the “two Moroccos”.

As long as hiring decisions remain based on “whom you know” and “what you can” do, the Moroccan government and private sector will remain ill-equipped to handle an incoming economic meltdown smeared in a large fiscal deficit, higher taxes, and unskilled labor force.