 Morocco’s trade unions differ from its neighbors in North Africa in that there are 19 recognized labor federations in Morocco. The Union Marocaine du Travail (UMT) was the first and is still the largest, claiming 200,000 members from the private sector. Morocco is going through a period of privatization as are its neighbors Algeria and Tunisia. Morocco’s economy has been affected by the termination of the Multi-Fiber Arrangement that guaranteed export quotas. The garment and textile sector comprises 38% of manufacturing jobs in Morocco and represents 200,000 workers. Additionally, Morocco and the US signed a Free Trade Agreement on July 15, 2004, which has had a negative impact on workers’ rights with the increased pressure to be competitive in the global market.
With the merger of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) and the World Confederation of Labor (WCL) in early November 2006 to form the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), three of Morocco’s largest federations now belong to the same international body, bringing the UMT, the Union Générale des Travailleurs du Maroc (UGTM), and the Confédération Démocratique du Travail (CDT) together. As a result of this merger, the Solidarity Center has been working to develop partnerships with all three federations and hopes to begin implementing activities in the spring of 2007 in cooperation with them, to address the issues of globalization and privatization. In September 2006 the Solidarity Center’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Regional Country Program Director for the Arab Maghreb, and the Special Advisor for the Middle East and North Africa traveled to Morocco to meet with members of the Executive Committee of the CDT, the General Secretary and two members of the Executive Committee of the UMT, the General Secretary of the Moroccan National Press Union (SNPM), the General Secretary of the National Federation of Railway Workers, and a former member of the National Women’s Committee of the UMT. These meetings were conducted in order to discuss potential activities and to reach agreements with each federation to commit to pursuing these activities. The Solidarity Center anticipates beginning work in Morocco with women leaders and activists, railway workers, textile and garment workers, and journalists.
The Solidarity Center has begun its integration of Morocco into its programming in the Arab Maghreb initially by including it in a regional activity for Journalists. This activity was held in early December 2006 in Rabat with journalists meeting for a roundtable from Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt. A second roundtable will take place, from which a network will be formed that will allow journalists to share experiences and support each other in their struggles for recognition and eliminating government control and censorship over the media.
Union Marocaine de Travail (UMT)
The UMT, founded in 1955 on the French model of trade unions formerly present in Morocco under the Protectorate, was the union responsible for the majority of collective bargaining agreements. Most current Moroccan collective labor agreements were signed by the UMT in the late 1950s. The UMT, led by Mahjoub Benseddik, also was often the sole representative in national or international labor organizations. The UMT was a significant force in the fight for independence from France.
Union Général des Travailleurs du Maroc (UGTM)
Abderrazak Afilal founded the UGTM in 1960 and is still the current Secretary General. He is also the elected mayor of a borough of Casablanca that comprises one of the country’s largest industrial zones. The UGTM is closely affiliated with the Istiqlal party and the Minister of Employment appointed in September 2000, Abbas el-Fassi, is also the Secretary General of the Istiqlal Party.
Conféderation Démocratique du Travail (CDT)
The CDT, founded by Noubir Amaoui in 1978, has risen to greater prominence since the appointment of the USFP-led government of Amaoui, who is considered the most vitriolic Moroccan labor leader. The CDT is the labor affiliate of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP).
Information de Contact
Heba F. El-Shazli Lisa McGowan
Regional Program Director, The Middle East Program Officer, The Middle East
The Solidarity Center, AFL-CIO The Solidarity Center, AFL-CIO
888 16 St. NW, Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20006 LMcGowan@solidaritycenter.org
(202) 974 8384- Main Fax
(202) 974 8265– MENA Fax
helshazl@solidaritycenter.org |
