Moroccan Teachers in Belgium Face Sudden Job Termination, Sparking Diplomatic Tension

In a parliamentary question addressed by the parliamentary adviser Khalid Es-Satteau to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad, Nasser Bourita, it is revealed that a surprise decision has been made to terminate the duties of sixteen Moroccan educational staff seconded to Belgium as of August 31, 2025. The decision, dated July 23, 2025, was made without notice and was justified by the Belgian authorities by the cessation of activities within the associations, as specified by the teachers concerned. According to them, this reason is legally unfounded, as the bilateral agreement between Morocco and Belgium does not refer to associations as a recognized framework for organizing these missions.

The staff concerned have difficulty understanding this decision. They assure that they have Belgian residence permits valid until June 30, 2026, as well as legal work authorizations and unified permits, and that they work according to full schedules, which confirms the continued need for their services. The situation is worrying the Union nationale du travail au Maroc (National Union of Labor in Morocco). It explains that the decision-making during the summer vacation period increases their family and administrative difficulties, as their children are enrolled in the Belgian system. In addition, it is difficult for them to manage commitments related to rent, water and electricity bills, as well as banking and medical insurance.

According to the parliamentary adviser Khalid Es-Satte, they will face the difficulty of obtaining certificates and administrative documents in a context of current closure of Belgian institutions, in addition to financial and administrative commitments including rental contracts requiring a three-month notice for evacuation, as well as contracts for water, electricity, Internet, insurance and banking transactions. Not to mention the medical appointments of the members of their families.

Furthermore, the teachers concerned denounce a violation of the contractual duration set at four years and qualify the decision as arbitrary. They have also called for an investigation to be opened and for a solution to be sought that takes into account their social and legal situation. For its part, the Union nationale du travail au Maroc calls on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad to clarify its position on this decision and to intervene with the Belgian authorities or the parties concerned to cancel or postpone it, in order to respect the contractual deadline and to do justice to the educational staff and their families.