Moroccan Business Leader Urges Selective Minimum Wage Increase Amid Economic Crisis

The second increase in the Guaranteed Minimum Interprofessional Wage (SMIG) will be partially maintained, as its application has proven difficult in the current context marked by an economic crisis.

"I encourage companies in sectors not impacted by the crisis to apply the second increase in the SMIG. Companies operating in sectors currently in difficulty are, on the other hand, called upon to favor the maintenance of employment, in particular by postponing the increase in the SMIG," declared Chakib Alj, president of the CGEM, at the end of two exchange sessions between the institution and the unions.

Emphasizing the particularity of the current context marked by the economic crisis born of the Covid-19 health crisis, he stated that the CGEM, in order to preserve employment, and "in a concerted and responsible approach, has seized the Head of Government to postpone the application of the second increase in the SMIG". According to him, the increase in the SMIG will impact employment in the sectors severely affected by the crisis, and contribute to the attractiveness of the informal sector. "Our responsibility to all is to protect our employees by maintaining their jobs and to succeed in the desired recovery for our economy," he added.