Rabat – Morocco is considering permanently ending the practice of clock changes for daylight savings.
In a press briefing after the weekly government council, on Thursday, November 11, 2021, the Moroccan government spokesperson and minister delegate in charge of parliamentary relations, Mustafa Baitas, announced the potential removal of daylight savings time changes (GMT+1) in Morocco.
Following the cabinet meeting at the press conference, Mustafa Baitas responded to journalists’ questions regarding the issue, which remains controversial among Moroccans.
“The extra hour is up for discussion and should be studied thoroughly. When possible, the government will review it,” Baitas stated.
The concept of DST refers to the decision to change clocks by one hour and is part of the application of Article 2 of Law 2.18.855, issued on October 26, 2018.
The decision first came as a means to save energy, and successfully led to a decrease in electricity consumption between October 2018 and March 2019 by 0.3%, saving 37.6 GWh.
However, the time change caused an uproar among citizens, with some taking to the streets with demonstrations condemning the government’s lack of consultations on the issue with the public.
In 2019, the Moroccan government released a 24-page study to the public, claiming that the adoption of DST changes contributes to maintaining the stability of the population’s health as it stops the clock from changing several times a year.
Moroccans continued to oppose the decision, asserting that the government should have consulted citizens before making any move.
