May 1st celebration: Trade unions still in marching orders!

■  UGTM: «The Government didn’t bribe us».

It was a message of «solidarity and union» that the UGTM wanted to show at its meeting in Fez. Nizar Baraka and Naam Miyara jointly chaired the meeting, which took place on May 1, 2024 at the Salle du 11 janvier. The UGTM SG insisted on the «institutionalization of social dialogue, now based on logical objectives and tangible results». Without «wishing to defend the actions of the (Government) majority», Miyara noted that «the Government has not bribed the unions, as some would have us believe». And the head of the trade union center announced that «the thorny issue of reforming the pension system is about to be launched». The same applies to the revision of the Labor Code and the law on the right to strike. «The main thing is not to make unilateral concessions», Miyara concluded. Freshly re-elected head of the Istiqlal Party, Baraka expressed his satisfaction at the success of his party’s 18th congress. The head of the «Party of the Scale» stressed that» the work of the National Council of the 18th Congress is still under way», «in order to outline the 107 candidacies for the Executive Committee and elect its members». Aspiring to a renewed, strong, and harmonious leadership, the leader of the Istiqlal Party has clearly stated his ambition to «run for first place at the next elections in 2026».

  Y.S.A

■ UMT: Wage hikes granted remain insufficient

Fanfare, red and white cabs, Moroccan colors, and Palestinian flags kicked off the UMT parade in Casablanca. «The wage increase just suffices to counter inflation, but it is not enough in the long term», declared the General Secretary of the Union Marocaine du Travail (UMT), Miloudi Moukharik. The speeches nevertheless echoed the dissatisfaction of the labor sector with the social dialogue agreements of April 29, 2024. Moukharik also stressed the importance of the fight for women’s rights. «This struggle is inseparable from the social struggle», he added. Trade unionist Amal Amri then took the floor in support of the labor sector. «It makes no sense that sectors such as aviation bring in billions for the Government, and that workers are only paid the minimum wage», she said, calling for an increase in the industrial minimum wage.

L.B

■ CDT: Wages: the battle has only just begun!

For his Labor Day speech, Khalid Alami Houir, the CDT’s Deputy General Secretary, chose to begin with a review of world politics. From the war in Ukraine to «Western imperialism in Latin America», and the situation in the Middle East, Alami asserted that it is «the poor countries that will pay the highest price for the crises, and especially the working class». As for Palestine, the CDT’s Deputy General asserts that Israel «benefits from its military superiority, misinformation, and American support». The agreements signed recently with the Government to increase civil servants’ salaries are only the beginning of Alami’s battle. He is calling for a global restructuring, «not just economically, but also from a socio-political point of view, not forgetting trade union freedoms».

  T.B

■ In Marrakech, regional trade unions call for greater efforts

A large number of law enforcement officers were on hand in Marrakech for the May 1st trade union marches, to manage traffic in a city that attracts a large number of tourists. The UMT, which has a presence in a number of hotel companies, organized a march from its headquarters, crossing part of Boulevard Mohammed V and returning via Bab Doukkala. The medium-sized march was joined by civil servants from the water and electricity utility RADEEMA. Workers chanted slogans for wage increases, and booed the government and parliament. Activists from the UNTM, the pro-PJD central union, held their usual meeting opposite the ramparts of Bab Doukkala, kicking off with verses from the Koran. Members of the regional center then organized a march for fairness, social coverage, and to denounce the infringement of workers’ rights. For its part, the UGTM did not march, but held a meeting at its headquarters in Arset El Maach. The speeches were rather positive and encouraging concerning the social agreement between the Government and employers’ associations.

 B.B.