Morocco Expands Social Protection: Health Insurance, Family Benefits, and Pensions to Reach Millions More

This project, according to the MAP, aims to define the principles and objectives relating to the reform of the social protection system over the next five years, as well as the commitments of the State, local authorities, public institutions and companies, the private sector, civil society, the various public and private bodies and citizens to achieve these objectives.

Compulsory basic health insurance will therefore be generalized to reach even more beneficiaries in 2021 and 2022. The idea is to include vulnerable people benefiting from the medical assistance scheme, professionals and self-employed workers, non-salaried persons who carry out a liberal activity. About 22 million additional people will benefit from this insurance, which covers the costs of treatment, medication and hospitalization.

According to the council of ministers, the draft law has also planned to cover family allowances in 2023 and 2024. The aim is to allow households that do not yet benefit from them to receive allowances covering the risks related to childhood or flat-rate allowances. Retirees who have worked but do not receive a pension are also affected by the project, through the implementation of the pension system specific to the categories of professionals and self-employed workers and non-salaried persons who carry out a liberal activity.

It is in 2025 that the draft law plans the generalization of the unemployment benefit. It will be a matter of covering any person holding a stable job, by simplifying their access to this allowance.