Morocco: Free Union of Phosphate Workers in Khouribga Accuses Management of Reverting to ‘Years of Lead’ by Suppressing Union Activity, Discrimination, and Hindering Dialogue

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

ALGIERS-  The Free Union of Phosphate Workers in Khouribga, Morocco, has accused the top management of the Cherifian Office of Phosphates ‘L’Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP)’ of reverting to the “years of lead” era by implementing a policy of union discrimination, gerrymandering elections, stifling union practices, and hindering dialogue.

In a statement, the union expressed its condemnation of the OCP management’s approach, stating that it resembles the fascist mentality against unionists, reminiscent of the dark times of repression and discrimination.

According to the union, the OCP management has deliberately obstructed social dialogue in the sector since May 2023, disregarding previous commitments and violating national and international laws. The union emphasized that this behavior has accumulated since 2005, posing a serious threat to social peace and blatantly violating Article 3 of the 2016 Charter and its 2021 annex.

In a concerning turn of events, the general management announced a new charter for social dialogue that perpetuates union discrimination by excluding the Free Union of Phosphate Workers against the will of the workforce, which expressed its support through ballot boxes, granting the union 11.11% of national representation in 2021 and 25% representation of health and safety delegates in the sector. The union deemed this action a flagrant violation of labor laws, particularly Article 9 prohibiting union discrimination, as well as international conventions 98 and 154 regarding union freedoms and collective bargaining.

The union asserted that this contradicts all of Morocco’s international commitments in the field of human rights and democratic construction, exposing the falsehood of the phosphate intelligentsia’s slogans regarding concern for human capital, citizen entrepreneurship, and “fair” transition in the digital revolution.

Scores of workers staged demonstrations outside the Office facilities in Khouribga and Safi, reaffirming the union’s demands and denouncing the OCP’s policies. They called on the management to enact genuine reforms and prioritize human resources.

The union urged the management to fulfill previous commitments regarding health coverage, retirement, housing, the Green Mine, Sheikh Zayed, social affairs, IPSE education, and to open channels of dialogue with the union and respond to its demands.

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