Morocco has launched a national campaign to strengthen the protection of migrant and refugee workers, a move that illustrates the increasing importance of the kingdom’s social and economic inclusion policies.
The main Moroccan trade union federations – the Moroccan Labor Union (UMT), the General Union of Moroccan Workers (UGTM), and the Democratic Confederation of Labor (CDT) – launched a national information and awareness campaign on May 12th dedicated to the rights of migrant workers.
Technically supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and funded by Swiss Cooperation, this initiative is part of the project “Support for the Integration and Protection of
Migrant Workers in the Moroccan Labor Market.”
This operation reflects the gradual evolution of the Moroccan model of migration governance, which is regularly praised by several international partners for its approach that combines social
integration, legal protection, and economic inclusion.
The organisers emphasise that migrants “actively contribute to the country’s economic development and enrich its social and cultural heritage,” highlighting the growing role of this population in several sectors.
The campaign also builds on the momentum generated since the signing, in 2022, of a joint charter uniting labor unions and the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM).
This closer collaboration between social partners and employers illustrates a desire to structure a more inclusive labor market, in a context marked by the increasing number of foreign workers in the kingdom.
According to data from the High Commission for Planning (HCP), Morocco has nearly 148,000 foreign residents, 54% of whom are employed. The level of education is also significant, as 38% of foreign residents in the kingdom hold a higher education degree.
The campaign will be rolled out in several strategic economic hubs, including Tangiers-Tetouan-Al Hoceima, Rabat-Sale-Kenitra, and Agadir.
The organisers are relying on a multi-channel approach combining digital campaigns, public displays, training workshops, and workplace awareness initiatives.
The objective is to improve access to legal information for migrant workers while reminding employers of their obligations related to decent work and social compliance.
The unions emphasise that “the rights of migrant workers are fully guaranteed by law” and reiterate that those affected have legal recourse in the event of a violation of their rights.
This approach reflects the desire of the authorities and social partners to strengthen the legal security of the labor market while consolidating the kingdom’s economic attractiveness.
Beyond the regulatory aspect, the initiative seeks to permanently embed the principles of equal opportunity and social justice in the Moroccan professional world.
By bringing together civil society, the media, and economic stakeholders, the project aims to consolidate a more inclusive work environment, in line with Morocco’s ambitions to position itself as a stable, open, and internationally connected regional hub.
MK/Sf/fss/as/APA