Morocco’s Unions Push for Extension of COVID-19 Aid as Economic Struggles Continue

In a letter addressed to the head of government, the Moroccan Union of Labor (UMT) led by Miloudi Moukharik is asking for an extension of this aid beyond the month of June, mainly due to the prolonged shutdown of many businesses.

Before sending this letter, the most representative unions in the country and the head of government had held a meeting to prepare for the supplementary finance law, expected in the coming days in Parliament, the same source recalls. During this meeting, union leaders had pleaded for the establishment of a Social Monitoring Committee (CVS) because they were not involved in the Economic Monitoring Committee (CVE).

In March, the CVE had decided to grant a monthly net lump-sum allowance of 2,000 DH in favor of employees declared to the National Social Security Fund (CNSS) for the month of February 2020 and on temporary work stoppage during the period from March 15 to June 30, 2020.

Financed by the Special Fund for the Management of the Coronavirus Pandemic, this aid was granted, in March, to 716,061 employees declared in activity stoppage for a total of 716 million dirhams. In April, 892,711 employees were the beneficiaries with 1.73 billion dirhams in lump-sum allowances, i.e. 2,000 dirhams per month.