Increase in minimum wage and salaries… The «social» battle begins

Another round of social dialogue is underway. Consultations with trade unions resumed on Tuesday, March 26. The Union Marocaine du Travail (UMT)  trade union will open the negotiations, putting forward demands such as the improvement of purchasing power and incomes. Miloudi Mokharek, General Secretary, is calling for a general pay rise, suggesting that «it should not be less than the 2,000 Dirhams (USD 200) granted to teachers».
The revision of the income tax grid is back on the table: «The Government had promised this reform for 2023. The measures taken that year had a limited impact on purchasing power», said the head of UMT. In his opinion, the reform of the income tax grid will correct a tax injustice. In 2023, increases in deductions for professional expenses and tax allowances for pensioners have been granted.
UMT is also aiming to raise the guaranteed inter-professional minimum wage (SMIG) to 5,000 Dirhams (USD 500), compared with the current 3,140 Dirhams (USD 314). This could compromise the country’s attractiveness and competitiveness. «An increase in the minimum wage carries risks, particularly in laborintensive sectors» , said a business leader interviewed by L’Économiste. Mokharek refutes this position, asserting that «we mustn’t make workers insecure. In sectors such as cleaning, wages do not exceed 1,400 Dirhams (USD 140) per month».

With regard to the organic law on strikes, discussions with unions and employers have been underway for some time. However, according to one trade unionist.
In addition to the demands for improved living standards and purchasing power, other major issues are on the table: the organic law on strikes, the overhaul of the Labor Code and of the retirement dossier. On the organic law on strikes, consultations with unions and employers have been underway for some time. «The unions and employers’ associations have submitted their proposals to the Ministry of Employment on the various measures contained in the bill tabled in Parliament. But no complete version of the proposed changes has yet been received,» says a trade unionist.

At a meeting of the Club de L’Économiste, Younes Sekkouri, Minister for Economic Inclusion, assured us that his ministry had received numerous proposals, while respecting the perspectives of each of the players and the balance provided for by the Constitution. He pointed out that it was not a question of restricting trade union freedoms, but of organizing things in such a way as to protect employees while allowing businesses to operate. It seems that approval of the draft organic law on strikes should not pose any major problems, insofar as the balances are supposed to be respected.
In theory, approval of the draft organic law on strikes should not pose any major «problems», since the balances are supposed to be respected.
Issues such as advance notice, the time limit for negotiations before a strike is called, minimum service in the public sector, the occupation of workplaces, etc. need to be settled. After the law on strikes, the Labor Code will be updated to take account of changes in the way people work. 

Khadija MASMOUDI