Rabat – The main trade union centers celebrated Labor Day in Rabat on Wednesday with a series of meetings and parades throughout the capital.
The rallies, which came a day after the signing of an agreement with the government as part of the social dialogue, were attended by union leaders and activist representing the Moroccan Labor Union (UMT), the General Union of Moroccan Workers (UGTM), the Democratic Confederation of Labor (CDT), the Democratic Federation of Labor (FDT), the Democratic Labor Organization (ODT) and the National Labor Union of Morocco (UNTM).
On this occasion, the most representative trade unions highlighted the socio-economic context in which this year’s May 1st celebrations took place, particularly marked by rising unemployment and the prices of several consumer goods, affecting the purchasing power of a large section of society.
Participants in the rallies chanted various slogans and held up banners expressing their demands and commitment to defending the working class and its rights
, and working to improve workers’ economic and social conditions.
They also emphasized the need to pursue efforts to combat poverty, social disparities and inflation, to strengthen aid for the most disadvantaged categories and to consolidate the foundations of the social State, welcoming in this respect the large-scale social projects initiated under the impetus of HM King Mohammed VI, including the generalization of social protection, the direct social aid program and the direct housing aid program.
Participants in the various demonstrations also called for higher salaries and retirement pensions, and lower income tax, while welcoming the results of the social dialogue which culminated in the signing of an agreement with the government for a general increase of 1,000 dirhams net per month in the salaries of public sector civil servants who had not benefited from a pay rise.
In addition to economic and social demands, the main trade union centers called for greater social cohesion and continued mobilizatio
n and vigilance in defense of national unity and the Kingdom’s territorial integrity.
Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse