Moroccan Workers Protest New Visa Rules at Ceuta and Melilla Borders

By deciding to reopen the Ceuta and Melilla border crossings, Morocco and Spain have taken restrictive measures. While the Moroccan authorities have announced the end of smuggling activities, the Spanish government has decided to impose a specific visa on everyone, even legally recognized workers, even though they had been accustomed for more than 20 years to accessing Ceuta and Melilla via a professional work card. "From Tuesday, May 31, legally recognized border workers will be able to enter Spanish territory through these same procedures, as well as those who, due to the expiration of the card that accredits them as such, have obtained a specific visa for Ceuta and Melilla," the statement reads.

The 3,600 Moroccan workers legally working in the two enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla are torn between anger and disappointment. They do not understand that after paying their taxes in Spain and Morocco and their social security contributions (retirement, CNSS, mutual insurance...), they can now be imposed a visa. For Chakib Marouane, Secretary General of workers holding a work permit in the city of Ceuta, having a visa will not be easy. "Most employers in the two enclaves refuse to send workers the employment contract so that they can initiate the visa procedure. He is now concerned that their 20 years of work and seniority will evaporate, without being compensated or able to recover their money placed in their bank accounts in Ceuta and Melilla," reports Hespress.

The legal Moroccan workers in Ceuta and Melilla, men and women, have been operating for more than 20 years in several fields. Catering, hotels, electricity companies and others. They fulfill their duties, namely taxes, fees, the Social Security Fund, insurance, mutual insurance, and they have legal work documents, explains Chakib Marouane.

In reaction to the decision, the legal Moroccan workers in Ceuta and Melilla plan to go to the border crossing points on May 31, armed only with their professional work permit, the union leader said, specifying that if the Spanish authorities refuse to let them access the enclave, they will observe a sit-in in front of the crossing point. "What is happening is dangerous. We have informed all the ministries concerned. We will also refer the matter to the Head of Government to intervene in this matter. To avoid any escalation, it is urgent that the Moroccan government reacts," he warns.