Morocco Raises Minimum Wage by 20%, Biggest Increase Ever

Rabat — Economic Inclusion Minister Younes Sekkouri announced today that Morocco has increased the minimum wage in the private sector by 20% – the largest hike ever implemented by any Moroccan government.

Historic wage increase announced

Speaking as part of May Day celebrations, Sekkouri revealed that the monthly minimum wage has jumped from MAD 2,638.05 ($263) in 2021 to approximately MAD 3,191.85 ($319), factoring in an additional 5% increase set to take effect next January.

“The minimum wage will increase by nearly MAD 600 ($60), a 20% rise that no previous government has ever achieved,” said Sekkouri. According to National Social Security Fund data, more than two million workers will benefit from this measure.

Closing the agricultural age gap

While agricultural workers currently receive lower minimum wages than other sectors, the minister conceded, the government plans to unify minimum wages across all sectors by 2028.

“We’re increasing agricultural minimum wages at a faster rate to close the gap between agricultural and non-agricultural workers,” Sekkouri said. He explained that monthly minimum wages in agriculture have risen from about MAD 1,860 ($186) to MAD 2,360 ($236), including increases scheduled for April 2026.

Under the April 2024 agreement, minimum wages in both agricultural and non-agricultural activities will increase in two 5% increments between 2025 and 2026.

Agricultural minimum wages will have increased by MAD 540 ($54) from when the current government took office in 2021 through 2026.

Pension reform benefits workers

Sekkouri also addressed retirement benefits in the private sector. Workers previously needed 3,240 days of contributions (about ten years) to qualify for a pension through the National Social Security Fund. Following discussions with stakeholders, the government reduced this requirement to just 1,320 days (four years).

Workers who don’t meet the minimum contribution period can now recover both their contributions and their employer’s contributions.

Additional economic relief measures

The minister pointed to the income tax reduction implemented in January 2025 at the request of social partners, noting it has delivered an average increase of MAD 400 ($40) for middle-income families.

Regarding the draft strike law, Sekkouri said the current government had shown “political courage” by tackling this sensitive issue while considering stakeholder proposals and respecting international standards.