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Marrakech – The Moroccan government will release public sector salaries on May 20, nearly a week ahead of the usual schedule, to help civil servants cover expenses tied to Eid al-Adha.
Government spokesperson Mustapha Baitas made the announcement on Thursday, May 14, during a press conference in Rabat following the weekly cabinet meeting. The early disbursement is a one-time measure designed to give public employees access to their May wages before the holiday, expected around May 28.
The decision comes after days of speculation over whether the government would move up the pay date. It applies to all civil servants and public sector employees across the country.
The National Social Security Fund (CNSS) followed with a separate announcement the same day. The agency will pay out May pensions no later than May 23, also on an exceptional basis. The early disbursement covers all CNSS pension categories – old-age, disability, and survivors’ pensions – and benefits more than 850,000 retirees.
National herd in good health for the holiday
At the same press conference, Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari laid out the government’s preparations for the holiday’s livestock market. The national supply of sheep and goats available for Eid al-Adha stands between 8 and 9 million head. Demand is estimated at 6 to 7 million head, putting the supply well above projected needs.
El Bouari attributed the recovery to the royal program for herd reconstitution, improved weather conditions, and autumn and spring births. The national herd now totals approximately 40 million head of sheep.
On herd preservation, El Bouari noted that control operations to protect female sheep and goats have maintained around 95% of the targeted stock since August 2025 – roughly 20 million head – not counting new births recorded during that period. He credited livestock farmers for their commitment to the national reconstitution effort.
The veterinary services of the National Food Safety Office (ONSSA) have confirmed that the national herd is in good health. Through May 12, ONSSA carried out more than 3,275 field inspections. Agents collected samples of meat, animal feed, drinking water for sacrificial animals, and veterinary medications for laboratory analysis. The inspections, conducted through joint committees, resulted in 10 violation reports.
Authorities have also imposed strict controls on the transport of poultry waste. A prior authorization from veterinary services is now required to ensure traceability and prevent the illegal use of such waste in livestock fattening.
A joint circular issued in January by the agriculture and interior ministries reinforced oversight of feed and substances used in livestock fattening, along with broader sanitary and preventive protocols.
On the commercial side, 35 temporary markets dedicated to the sale of sacrificial livestock have been set up across the country. As of May 12, veterinary services had registered approximately 162,000 fattening units and 160,000 livestock farms and fattening operations nationwide. The registration process is part of the government’s traceability framework for animals destined for slaughter.
The Interior Ministry is scheduled to hold a meeting Thursday evening with the 12 regional walis and senior officials from multiple sectors. The session aims to coordinate and monitor preparations through the holiday.
Read also: As Eid Al Adha Approaches, Casablanca Meat Prices Show Mixed Movement
