Tension in the House of Councillors Over Strike Law Debate

The House of Councillors session on Monday, February 3, 2025, witnessed significant tension during the discussion of Organic Law No. 97.15 concerning the right to strike. Noureddine Selik, parliamentary councillor representing the Moroccan Labor Union (UMT), announced his team’s withdrawal from the session in protest against what he described as the government’s attempt to “shackle the right to strike” and its failure to uphold social dialogue.

In his speech before the council, Selik strongly criticized the government’s stance, accusing the Minister of Employment of failing to fulfill his promises to trade unions, particularly the UMT, regarding reaching a consensus on this contentious issue. He argued that the current version of the bill constitutes a severe setback for workers’ rights and warned of its negative impact on union freedoms.

The parliamentary councillor affirmed that the UMT team decided to withdraw from the session in opposition to what they see as a unilateral approach by the government to impose a law that lacks consensus. He emphasized that the trade union would not be a silent witness to the passage of legislation that undermines a constitutional right guaranteed by Article 29 of the Moroccan Constitution.

Selik also objected to the way the session was conducted, criticizing what he described as the “authoritarian” approach adopted by the session’s chair in dealing with the union team. He stressed that discussions should be based on mutual respect and democratic dialogue, rather than “top-down directives.”

source : fesnews media

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