Moroccan Workers Urge Border Reopening with Spanish Enclaves Amid Diplomatic Talks

Moroccan workers are calling for the reopening of the Moroccan borders with Ceuta and Melilla. This important issue deserves to be discussed during the current consultations between the Spanish and Moroccan governments in order to allow thousands of Moroccans to return to work in the two autonomous cities, said their spokesperson, Chakib Marouane, to EFE. The latter also demanded compensation for the Moroccans for the months spent without work and facilities to obtain their access and residence documents in Spanish territory, as well as social coverage on an equal footing with the Spanish.

To read: Moroccan Cross-Border Workers Plead for Aid as Spanish PM Visits

This demand from Moroccans, who have organized several demonstrations in recent months to demand the reopening of the borders, comes after the speech given on Friday by King Mohammed VI, who expressed his willingness to "open a new era" in relations with Spain.

The land borders of Ceuta and Melilla with Morocco have been closed since March 13, 2020 for health reasons. This situation has caused enormous damage to these employees who work in Ceuta and Melilla during the day and return to Morocco every evening. They have a special entry and exit permit and are mostly domestic workers and construction workers.