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At the request of the social partners, in particular unionsduring the meeting of the Education and Social Affairs Commission within the House of Advisorsheld on Monday January 6, on the occasion of the presentation and discussion of the draft organic law defining the conditions and modalities for exercising the right to strike, and within the framework of a unanimous consensus between all members of the commission, the Minister of Employment, Younes Sekkouriinvited the unions represented within the said Chamber, as well as the General Confederation of Moroccan Businesses (CGEM), at a meeting held Wednesday January 8.
“The version adopted in the House of Representatives is provisional”
During these meetings, the minister explained that the version adopted in the House of Representatives is a provisional version and that several of its provisions will be amended in the House of Advisors.
He also claimed theopenness of the government to proposed amendments representatives of social partners and political parties with the aim of leading to the development of an organic law which protects the rights of strikerspreserves freedom of work and respects the rights of society.
At the end of these meetings, Younes Sekkouri also affirmed that the government was ready to provide “substantive amendments” to this organic bill. “The government is convinced that the promulgation of this vital text is able to support social and economic developments and ensure the exercise of the right to strike without compromising freedom of work”, he said.
The Executive, he added, “is working together with the social partners within the framework of social dialogue to achieve the adoption of this law in the best possible way, in order to meet the expectations of workers.”
For Mr. Sekkouri, “this collective work aims to bring points of view closer together on a certain number of essential observations, in particular the mechanisms and modalities for exercising the right to strike, specifying, in this sense, that additional amendments will be made to this text during discussions in the Chamber of Advisors.
Statements from the various unions and the CGEM
These meetings were attended by representatives of the General Union of Workers of Morocco (UGTM), the Democratic Confederation of Labor (CDT), the National Labor Union in Morocco (UNTM), the Democratic Federation of Labor (FDT), as well as the CGEM.
These meetings constituted an important step, allowing each social partner to express their positions on the methodology adopted.
The interventions of the unions insisted on the need to respect the institution of social dialogue. These meetings also made it possible to formulate essential observations concerning several points, in particular the aspect sanctions, the occupation of workplaces, the reduction of deadlines as well as the very definition of strike, whether exercised individually or collectively, in addition to other observations.
Meeting held with the CGEM
At the end of his meeting with the Minister of Employment, the vice-president of the CGEM, Mohamed Fikratwelcomed this process marked by the holding of a series of rounds and meetings which took place in an atmosphere of serious and constructive exchanges, stressing that this law is of great importance, given its close link with the national economy, investments and business commitments.
And to affirm that this debate aims to reflect on a version ensuring balance, which makes it possible to promote the proper functioning of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and investments.
Meeting held with UNTM
As for the secretary general of the UNTM, Mohamed Zouitenhe called on the government to redouble its efforts and respond positively to demands linked to the strike law, through sectoral and social dialogue, the expansion of dialogue to all unions, as well as the strengthening of union freedoms .
-Mr. Zouiten stressed the need to adapt certain provisions of this text according to new changes, calling on the government to promote the institutionalization of dialogue with trade union centers.
Statement from the FDT following the meeting held with the Minister of Employment
The general secretary of the FDT, Youssef Aididi for his part, highlighted the cumulative achievements in terms of exercising the right to strike in Morocco “which cannot be subject to any restriction”, indicating that the right to strike must be guaranteed to workers in accordance with international provisions in force.
Likewise, he wanted to welcome the government’s openness to the substantive amendments made by the FDT within the Chamber of Advisors, noting that his union center “is looking at the same time at the organic bill relating to the strike and the bill relating to trade union organizations, which stands as a complementary law within the framework of the supervision of the union scene and the strengthening of the roles of unions.
Statement from the UGTM following the meeting held with the Minister of Employment
For his part, the member of the executive office of the UGTM, Youssef Allakouchstressed that the substantive amendments presented by his union formation aim to fill the gaps in the previous text of 2016, with particular emphasis on the consecration of constitutional law relating to the exercise of the strike.
Statement from the CDT following the meeting held with the Minister of Employment
Finally, the CDT representative, Younes Firachinerecalled the positions of his union on the matter, emphasizing the need to include all social laws in the social dialogue agenda, in particular the draft law on strikes.
“The strike law must be carefully examined on the basis of serious negotiations before reaching an agreement on it,” he noted.
General discussion on January 15
It should be noted that the minister had met the previous week with representatives of all the unions sitting in the House of Councilors. The bill is expected to be presented this Thursday January 9, 2025 at 11 a.m. before the committee concerned, before a general discussion scheduled for Wednesday, January 15according to a press release from the president of the commission.
This program was unanimously approved by all members of the commission after a debate of more than five hours.
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