CGEM Urges Morocco’s Private Sector to Grant June 9 Holiday for Eid Al Adha

Rabat – Chakib Alj, the President of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), has urged the private sector companies to grant employees a day off on Monday, June 9, aligning with the public sector, in celebration of Eid Al-Adha, which will take place on Saturday, June 7 in Morocco.

Last week, the government decided to exceptionally suspend work in state administrations and local authorities on Monday, June 9.

CGEM called on companies to follow suit, noting: “We invite, as far as possible, private sector companies to also grant Monday, June 9, as a day off to their employees,” Alj said.

Eid Al Adha falls on the tenth day of Dhu Al Hijjah, the 12th and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The Islamic month marks Eid Al Adha or the sacrifice feast, which commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah’s command.

Dhu Al Hijjah also marks the Hajj pilgrimage, which will commence on June 4.

While the feast is a sacred and special time in Morocco, Moroccans will celebrate it differently this time.

In February, Morocco announced its decision to cancel the Eid Al Adha sacrifice ritual due to drought and a notable decrease in the country’s livestock population due to dry seasons that affected Morocco’s agriculture sector for six years in a row.

This is not the first time  Morocco has canceled the Eid Al Adha sacrifice ritual.

The first time dates back to 1963 when the late King Hassan II announced the cancellation of the sacrifice ritual during the Sand War between Morocco and Algeria, as it affected the two countries’ economies.

The second time was in 1981, and the cancellation was due to drought, as well as in 1996.

Last week, ONCF announced that it has expanded the train schedule ahead of Eid Al Adha from May 30 to June 15 to help travelers move easily and safely during the holiday.

The program includes up to 237 trains per day across the national network.

ONCF also pledged to add extra trains on the main routes to help passengers during busy times.