Morocco Allows Renault Engineers to Return, Boosting Auto Industry Amid Pandemic

"The technicians are arriving in Morocco by plane; the ticket is at their expense. On site, they will be tested for covid-19, then they will remain confined to the hotel for a certain time," confirmed an official source to TelQuel. Morocco had authorized Renault to repatriate about a hundred senior executives and its suppliers via special flights, reported Le Desk on Monday. They will have to resume their work in the factories of Tangier and Casablanca.

This news had sparked lively controversy on social networks. Many Internet users had criticized this decision that they had trouble understanding. And for good reason, the government has not so far authorized and organized the repatriation of the 31,800 Moroccan nationals stranded abroad for more than two months and who are asking to return home.

According to the official source, the repatriation of Renault engineers was imposed on the Moroccan government. "Two of the models that Renault produces in Morocco under the Dacia brand [the Dacia Dokker and Sandero], are coming to an end and must be replaced by a new version, she explains. We therefore had two options: repatriate the technicians from Europe and their know-how to do the work, or accept that Renault transfer the production of these cars to another country." A matter of economic interests.

Another reason given: "Automotive industry companies need to bring their expatriates back to finish developing their products," justifies a supplier of the diamond-branded firm. "But this requires expertise that, unfortunately, does not exist in Morocco," he adds.