Strengthening Industrial Relations in Morocco

Increasing Labor Law Compliance

Morocco

August 2003- December 2007

$3,072,431

The Governments of the U.S. and Morocco signed a Free Trade Agreement in 2004 to which, among other things, each government commits to fully comply with international core labor standards and its own national labor laws.   The Ministry of Labor of Morocco sought assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) to strengthen its capacity to enforce its labor laws, ensure higher levels of compliance, and implement recent reforms to the labor code.  The current state of industrial relations in Morocco is having a negative impact on the country’s economic development.  There is a serious need for mediation/arbitration to defuse the increasing number of labor conflicts that threaten the security and stability of Morocco and the competitiveness of Moroccan enterprises. 

Ministry of Labor, employers, and trade unions, and workers

• To achieve higher levels of labor law compliance through strengthening the capacity of the Ministry and educating employers and workers about their obligations under the law

• Strengthen skills of labor inspectors
• Install a performance management system within the labor inspectorate to monitor progress against annual goals
• Train representatives of national employers’ and workers’ organization and regional directors of labor inspection on the requirements of the new labor law.
• Train ministry officials in bargaining techniques, mediation, conciliation and dispute prevention and resolution.
• Promote equal employment opportunities and working conditions for women as well as men.

Executing Agency
International Labor Organization (ILO)

Implementing and Collaborating Agencies

Moroccan Ministry of Employment, Vocational Training, Social Development and Solidarity; Moroccan Employers’ Association (GEM); Moroccan Trade Union Federations  (UMT, CDT, UGTM); American Embassy, and USAID.

August 2007