Morocco: Labor Union Takes Ministry of Interior to Court Over Deductions from Striking Workers’ Wages
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS, January 3, 2024 – The National Union of Local and Regional Authorities Employees in Morocco has confirmed its recourse to the judiciary against the Ministry of Interior over its demand for local, regional, and municipal council heads to deduct wages of striking employees following the recent strikes. The union, a member of the Moroccan Labor Union, considers deducting wages from striking workers a “blatant violation of a right guaranteed by the constitution and international conventions.”
It’s worth noting that the former Prime Minister, Abdelilah Benkirane, issued a decree in 2016 known as the “Wage-for-Work Decree,” outlining the procedure for deducting wages from striking workers. This decree was enacted despite the Moroccan constitution recognizing the freedom of union work and the right to strike, stating that this right should be regulated by organic law.
The Moroccan constitution explicitly mentions that regulatory laws should be issued during the first term of the government following the constitution’s adoption, which was during Abdelilah Benkirane’s term. However, no government, including those of El Othmani and Akhenouch, during their half-term in office, worked on promulgating this law.
Many observers believe that successive governments have used the “Benkirane Decree” as a tool to weaken unions and undermine employees’ engagement in exercising the right to strike, achieving significant success over an extended period.
One ironic twist is that on the same day the Ministry of Interior circulated its letter requesting wage deductions from striking employees in local authorities, the government pledged to return the deducted amounts from the wages of male and female education workers on strike since October 5, during a meeting on December 26 between educational unions and the Moroccan government.
Dzair Tube Media Group
Dzair Tube has firmly established itself as a prominent player among Algerian digital news sites, offering a diverse and enriching content experience. The platform, available in Arabic, French, and English editions, captures the attention of a wide-ranging audience, amassing over half a million daily clicks.
A testament to its commitment to excellence, Dzair Tube received the prestigious President of the Republic’s Award for Professional Journalist in the Electronic Press category on October 22, 2022. This recognition underscores the platform’s unwavering dedication to upholding the highest standards of journalism.
With a significant online presence, Dzair Tube boasts 350,000 subscribers on YouTube, over five million followers on various Facebook pages, and 450,000 subscribers on Instagram. Its digital channel has become a hub for diverse programming, covering news, sports, entertainment, culture, and religion, catering to a broad spectrum of audience preferences.
Equipped with state-of-the-art studios and advanced technology, Dzair Tube’s digital channel has garnered substantial viewership for its varied programs. Hosting interactive discussions with influential figures across different domains, the platform actively fosters public discourse and engagement. Beyond news coverage, Dzair Tube extends its commitment to the production of marketing documentaries, short TV commercials, and high-viewership programs.
The success of the print edition of Dzair Tube’s sports newspaper, “Dzair Sport,” further highlights the platform’s impact, with over 50,000 daily downloads from the official Dzair Tube website.
Recently honored with the Media Leadership Award from the Minister of Communication, Mohamed Laâgab, Dzair Tube continues to shape the landscape of Algerian digital news, maintaining a position of influence and impact in the media industry.
