Morocco’s Cafe Owners Protest ’Mobile Cafes’ Amid Industry Crisis

According to Al Ahdath Al Maghribia, the federation points to a series of decisions taken by local authorities and certain public institutions, deemed "exaggerated" and responsible for the closure of many establishments. The federation in particular criticizes the regulatory void allowing the imposition of these decisions and highlights the unfair competition represented by the "mobile cafes", often ignored by local authorities.

Furthermore, the Federation is outraged by the recent measures taken by certain cities. This includes the Casablanca city hall, which has authorized food trucks, while the city of Rabat has increased taxes on temporary use of public space by 700%. These decisions, according to the Federation, exacerbate the difficulties of an already weakened sector, affecting thousands of jobs.

The situation is particularly alarming in certain cities like Fez, where more than 320 cafes and restaurants have gone bankrupt in recent months. The federation also criticizes the control and collection operations carried out by the National Social Security Fund (CNSS), which impose financial penalties sometimes exceeding the value of the business assets, jeopardizing the future of the sector and its many jobs.