Morocco Pledges Aid for Struggling Cafe and Restaurant Sector Amid Ramadan Strike

The information was provided during a meeting held on Tuesday, with cafe and restaurant owners received by the authorities of the Directorate General of Commerce to defuse the discontent and find a point of agreement.

The same source announces that the officials of this department under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce have explained to their counterparts that regarding the closure of cafes and restaurants, the government has followed the recommendations of the scientific committee to fight the spread of Covid-19.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has promised the representatives of the National Association of Cafe and Restaurant Owners of Morocco to provide support to professionals, to mitigate the consequences of the decision to close at night during the month of Ramadan in order to reduce the expected losses, indicates Hespress, who believes that this promise did not allow to defuse the anger of the professionals in the sector.

"They refused to give up this protest action until they receive reassuring promises that meet their demands, through the organization of a joint meeting that brings together the various ministries concerned, including the Ministry of the Interior," details Hespress.

Meanwhile, notes the same source, some cafe and restaurant owners in the city of Marrakech, saying they are willing to dialogue and legalist, have expressed their refusal to strike on Friday.

It should be noted that with the curfew at 8 p.m. during Ramadan, cafes and restaurants will be able to serve the "Iftar" meal after breaking the fast around 7:30 p.m.

Several exchange meetings are announced. A first between the professionals in the sector and the director general of taxes and a second planned jointly with the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Employment, the Directorate General of Taxes, as well as the governor of local authorities, in order to reach common solutions that save the sector.