On February 5 and 6, 2025, Moroccan agricultural workers initiated a general strike against the controversial Organic Law No. 97.15, which restricts the right to strike. Protests were organized by the Moroccan Labor Union and the FNSA-UMT, reflecting significant opposition to government policies perceived as detrimental to workers’ interests and rights. Heavy penalties and procedural complexities pose threats to labor rights within the agricultural sector.
On February 5 and 6, 2025, a general strike in Morocco was initiated by the Moroccan Labor Union (UMT) and its affiliates, including the National Federation of the Agricultural Sector (FNSA-UMT). Hundreds of agricultural workers protested in front of UMT headquarters, vociferously opposing the newly enacted ‘strike law’ and vowing to persist in their struggle until its repeal.
This mobilization aimed to challenge the passage of Organic Law No. 97.15, which governs the right to strike. Critics, including the FNSA-UMT, argue that the law is repressive, threatens workers’ rights, and facilitates the Moroccan government’s anti-labor policies. The law is perceived as a tool to suppress protests and restrict agricultural workers’ ability to defend their rights effectively.
The Moroccan government is determined to pass this law, which FNSA-UMT contends is contrary to the Moroccan Constitution. Article 29 of the Constitution offers explicit protection for the right to strike, recognized since the Constitution’s inception in 1962. Nevertheless, the current administration prioritizes the interests of local and foreign capital over workers’ rights, continuing to advocate for this contentious legislation.
Following its approval on February 5, 2025, the law poses significant implications for both the agricultural workforce and the broader Moroccan working class. The law establishes complex procedures that hinder strike actions, particularly in agricultural environments devoid of union representation. Moreover, penalties up to $850 for non-compliance threaten workers’ rights to mobilize and protest.
“This restrictive law on the right to strike primarily serves the interests of large companies…as well as multinational corporations that will continue to violate the rights of agricultural workers and peasants without the slightest consideration.” – FNSA-UMT
This legislative framework creates significant barriers for Moroccan agricultural workers and peasants attempting to protest against poor working conditions, ineffective Labor Code enforcement, and wage disparities. Resistance against these oppressive measures is viewed as crucial to securing fundamental rights and improving labor standards in the agricultural sector.
The article discusses the recent general strike in Morocco organized by the Moroccan Labor Union and its affiliates, protesting the implementation of Organic Law No. 97.15. This law is seen as a significant threat to the rights of agricultural workers and peasants, restricting their ability to strike and demanding compliance under penalty. The backdrop involves ongoing discontent with the government’s labor policies and the diminishing rights of workers, particularly in agriculture, which is vital to Morocco’s economy.
The general strike in Morocco reveals widespread discontent with the government’s recent legislation impacting workers’ rights, particularly within agriculture. The contentious strike law is viewed as repressive, complicating the ability of workers to protest poor conditions. Resistance to these legislative measures is essential for Moroccan agricultural workers to safeguard their rights and demand fair treatment in their workplaces.
Original Source: viacampesina.org
