Rabat – The National Union of Private Security, Cleaning, and Catering Workers in Morocco has announced a nationwide strike scheduled for Monday, October 20, to protest poor wages and working conditions.
The strike will be accompanied by a peaceful demonstration in front of the Parliament building in Rabat. The union cites ongoing neglect of workers’ rights and unmet demands by the government as the primary reasons for this action.
According to a statement from the union, the decision to strike comes in response to worsening conditions within the sector, characterized by precarious employment and exploitation of workers.
The union stated that employees often work more than 12 hours daily without compensation for overtime. In addition, issues such as non-compliance with the minimum wage, lack of annual leave, absence of weekly rest days, and denial of health coverage and social security benefits for cleaning and catering staff are central to the grievances.
The union strongly condemns what it describes as systematic exploitation of the workforce and continuous suppression of union freedoms. It calls for urgent government intervention to address these violations and ensure fair treatment for workers in these essential sectors.
Earlier this week, Loubna Najib, the Union’s Secretary General, shared images of security guards of educational institutions in Sidi Bennour province staging an overnight sit-in outside the provincial administration, sleeping on the ground under the open sky.
“A painful and humiliating scene captures the harsh reality and exposes the silence of the authorities,” Najib said, explaining that the guards were protesting against months of unpaid wages and poor working conditions.
“What kind of country leaves its guards to sleep outdoors after months of injustice and neglect? This is not just a picture of a sit-in… it is a cry of anger against humiliation and injustice,” Najib added.
The legal framework governing labor standards in Morocco sets the minimum wage and working hours for employees. As of January 2025, the statutory minimum wage for non-agricultural workers is MAD 3,269 per month, equating to approximately 17.10 MAD per hour for a standard 44-hour workweek.
The standard legal working time is capped at 44 hours per week, typically spread over six days, with a maximum of 10 hours per day. Overtime is permissible under specific conditions and must be compensated at increased rates, usually an additional 25% of the basic hourly pay for work between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., and an extra 50% for work between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Despite these regulations, workers in the private security, cleaning, and catering sectors often report conditions that fall short of legal standards. Many face extended working hours without overtime pay, getting paid less than the legal minimum, lack of rest periods, and absence of benefits such as health coverage and social security. These issues contribute to the sector’s characterization as precarious labor, where workers are vulnerable to exploitation and lack adequate legal protections.
The upcoming strike and demonstration reflect the workers’ collective demand for improved working conditions, fair compensation, and recognition of their rights. It also coincides were ongoing youth demonstrations demanding better education, healthcare, and job opportunities.
