“I would like to reaffirm our belief in the Kingdom of Morocco that the concerted efforts of the various actors will allow us, inevitably, to achieve the goals set to promote social protection in all Arab countries,” said Belfkih in a speech delivered at the opening of the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development.
In his speech, delivered by video conference from Rabat, Belfkih said that Morocco considers that social protection is essential for the promotion of the human element, adding that it is an important link in development and a key element for building a society where social and territorial justice prevails.
Morocco, in accordance with the High Royal Directions, has made great strides in the establishment of a solid system offering social protection to large segments of society, and limiting economic and social risks, especially for the most vulnerable groups, he noted.
This progress, he added, has been achieved taking into account the Kingdom’s commitments in terms of social protection and international conventions signed by Morocco in this field, in particular the recommendation of the International Labour Organization concerning the basis of social protection and the UN agenda for the achievement of sustainable development goals, which includes the expansion of social protection among its main objectives.
As part of its responsibilities to its citizens, the Moroccan state has mobilized all its authorities to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic and put in place an effective response to protect citizens in a coordinated and harmonious framework, limiting the spread of the virus to reduce the effects and repercussions, adopting a permanent monitoring of the epidemic situation and strengthening the health infrastructure and access to medicines and vaccines for all, said Belfkih, adding that the promotion of the health sector is a national priority for the Kingdom.
He said that all sectors have reached a convergence in a harmonious planning, despite some constraints from which the country has managed to learn useful lessons to correct them through the establishment of a comprehensive system of social protection, whose characteristics and foundations have been defined by HM King Mohammed VI, noting that the implementation of this project will be done in stages with, from 2022, the expansion of the compulsory health insurance to 22 million new beneficiaries.
This major project launched by the Sovereign also provides for the generalization of family allowances that will benefit nearly 7 million children of school age, the expansion of the base of adherents to the retirement system by incorporating nearly 5 million Moroccans among the working population not entitled to a pension and the generalization of access to the compensation for loss of employment to the benefit of people with a regular job, he noted.
Source: Agency Morocaine De Presse