Moroccan Social Front Calls for Nationwide Protests Against Living Crisis

Rabat – The Moroccan Social Front has called on all citizens to join nationwide demonstrations on Tuesday, June 20 to protest the soaring commodity prices and ongoing living crisis.

The protests also aim to commemorate the 42nd anniversary of the protests that took place in Casablanca on June 20, 1981. Also known as the Casablanca bread riots, the protests were sparked by soaring prices of basic food items.

In a press release, the social front highlighted the historical significance of the peaceful mass demonstrations that took place during the June 20 protests. 

“Today, as the nation commemorates this anniversary, the prevailing circumstances are characterized by exorbitant inflation in food and fuel prices,” said the statement.

In light of this occasion, the Moroccan Social Front called on all its branches, supporters, and citizens to organize protests across all Moroccan regions on June 20.

The statement outlined various demands, including the “reversal of skyrocketing prices of essential food items and fuel.”

In addition, the social front called for increasing the funding of the compensation fund by imposing taxes on wealth and large-scale farmers.

It also demanded the reviewing of the country’s tax system by imposing progressive income and corporate taxes.

Read also: Despite Government Promises, Soaring Prices Continue to Frustrate Moroccans

Highlighting the underlying structural imbalances in the Moroccan economic and social landscape, the statement called for the exemption of minimum wage workers from taxation.

To solve the issue of soaring food prices, the statement called on the government to prioritize the domestic market provision of vegetables over exports, as well as demanded the reduction of value-added tax on essential goods.

In regard to high fuel costs, the social front called for imposing a price capping on fuel prices. 

The upcoming demonstrations reflect the demands of the majority of Moroccans who have been heavily affected by the escalating inflation and high living expenses in recent months.

The protest is part of a rising tide of demonstrations that have swept the country in recent months, underscoring widespread dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the ongoing living crisis.