Morocco Denies Talks on Raising Retirement Age to 65 Amid Pension Reform Debate

Responding to the oral question of opposition deputies on the problems of retirees and the delay in reforming the pension systems threatened with bankruptcy at the House of Councillors, Younes Sekkouri denied the information according to which the government would have engaged in discussions on postponing the retirement age to 65 with the most representative unions. He did, however, let it be known that the government had listened to the unions’ grievances on this issue. He also presented certain proposals that would benefit all retirees.

The pension reform is a complex problem, assures the Minister of Labor, promising that the government will work hard to resolve it before the end of its term, to avoid being accused of irresponsibility and negligence in dealing with this issue. He also recalled that agreements had been reached with employers to preserve the current benefits of retirees, until the new reform comes into effect.