Morocco Considers Legal Framework to Formalize Street Vending Economy

According to the Council, "one of the conditions for the transition of street vendors to the organized sector and the release of energies for an active and productive economy is the existence of an integrated legal environment that frames the activities of itinerant trade".

To this end, the council indicates that "it is urgent that the national legislative system completes its arsenal by approving the legal status of street vendors of all categories, stipulating the conditions and obligations imposed by the practice of street trade, defining and simplifying the procedures, clarifying the powers concerning the exploitation of public space and approving sanctions in case of violation of the law".

Likewise, it is necessary to update, simplify and make transparent the regulatory requirements and procedures for temporary occupation of the public domain by street vendors, whether by operating permanent locations in urban areas or in semi-urban or rural communities, or by using vehicles, or by operating sites on road axes, added the document.

Furthermore, the CESE has proposed to the authorities to "support the reform and reintegration process, by providing in the criminal legislation the possibility of following a vocational training program as an alternative to custodial sentences for persons convicted of certain offenses who suffer from fragility, and to reduce the duration of the custodial sentence in favor of certain categories of detainees when they are the subject of a vocational training program".