For several days, cross-border workers who go to Sebta every day have been having difficulty renewing their employment contracts. In question, the refusal of the Moroccan authorities to issue them their certificate of residence, a document required by the Foreigners’ Office for the renewal of contracts.
Morocco is blocking the renewal of the employment contracts of Moroccans from Tetouan and Nador who cross the border every day to work in Sebta or Melilla. For several days, the competent Moroccan services have refused to provide them with the certificate of residence, a necessary document requested by the Foreigners’ Office to renew their contracts.
Cross-border workers who requested this document told The Ceuta Lighthouse have been informed that Morocco now only issues this certificate for the establishment of the electronic identity card. A sudden measure which compromises the renewal of their contracts.
Read: Distress of Moroccan cross-border workers
More than a thousand Moroccan cross-border workers have a valid employment contract and are affiliated to social security in Sebta. They risk finding themselves without work and without income overnight if a quick solution is not found to this situation.
After the reopening of land borders at the beginning of 2024, the visa exemption for travelers to Sebta and Melilla was removed, which prevented the signing of new employment contracts in the autonomous city. Cross-border workers had expressed fears about the application of this measure. But the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs reassured them that they will not be affected.
Morocco
