Rabat – The House of Representatives approved today Morocco’s strike law in its second plenary reading, already sparking much contempt and controversy among work unions.
This time around, the bill was approved with 84 for, 20 against, and no abstention.
The Minister of Economic Inclusion Younes Sekkouri, described the bill as an important step in the regulation of labor rights. Many would disagree with him as huge debates took place with social partners and both houses of Parliament.
Another provision discussed by the minister extends the right to strike beyond salaried employees by including domestic workers, freelancers, and liberal professionals.
For its part, the law recognizes moral interests as a legitimate motive for striking, rather than limiting the right to material interests only.
Sekkouri took the opportunity to say that employers could no longer impede strikes with impunity thereafter. Under the new law, violations could carry fines of as much as MAD 200,000 ($20,000).
Yet, backlash persists over the strike law.
In the first session, which happened yesterday, the Moroccan Labor Union (UMT), strongly opposed the law’s passing, walked out of the session before the voting started.
Also yesterday, the UMT announced a countrywide strike in all public and private sectors from February 5-6.
The decision is a result of the workers’ growing impatience with what they deem as “absurd” government policies and unfair to social dialogue.
The union also asked for immediate action to curb inflation, establish price caps, and prevent speculation, arguing that these steps are necessary to save citizens’ buying power.
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