🇲🇦MoroccoNorth Africa
Younes Sekkouri defends employment record amid skeptical opposition
via Le Matin6 min read
Younes Sekkouri, Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment, and Skills, defended the government's employment record against opposition skepticism, highlighting upcoming labor code amendments and social dialogue achievements. He announced that before May 1st, the Government Council will adopt an amendment to the Labor Code, reducing the work week from 12 to 8 hours. This change is expected to impact hundreds of thousands of private security, cleaning, and catering agents, and potentially 400,000 to 500,000 intermittent workers. Employers will have six to twelve months to comply, with a strict ban on new 12-hour contracts after promulgation. The estimated budgetary cost is a 40-50% increase in payroll in affected sectors, shared by the state and private sector. Sekkouri also detailed the social achievements of the legislature, stating that commitments from the tripartite social dialogue will reach 49.7 billion dirhams by 2027. This includes a 1,000 dirham general increase for public sector employees and nearly 18 billion dirhams for national education, with salary revaluations and the integration of 100,000 primary teachers. The non-agricultural hourly minimum wage has increased from 14.81 DH to 17.9 DH since 2021. However, Sekkouri acknowledged a "serious problem of effectiveness" regarding sanctions against non-compliant employers, with penalties capped at 20,000 dirhams annually for a single infraction, suggesting a need for stricter regulations and a reform
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 10 countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
The Moroccan dairy sector is experiencing a growth trajectory following exceptional rainfall this year, which has positively impacted the national dairy ecosystem. Mohammed Raïta, Director General, and Rachid Khattate, President of Maroc Lait, described the current campaign as exceptional due to the return of rains. This marks a break from water stress and inflationary pressures on agricultural inputs. While the abundance of pastures provides almost free fodder, the sector faces a significant reduction in livestock, having lost nearly 30% of its herd during drought years. Dairy production has increased by about 5% this year, with further improvements expected next year through fodder storage. The 2023 contract-program with the state has seen mixed results. Initial objectives were not met due to exogenous crises like prolonged drought, input inflation, the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and restrictions on heifer exports. However, the sector demonstrated resilience, with farmers remaining active and the market continuously supplied. Structural advancements in training, regional support units, financial aid for farmers, and digitalization were also achieved. To rebuild the herd, Maroc Lait is focusing on three strategies: importing to compensate for natural losses, developing local nurseries for heifer production, and increasing artificial insemination, particularly with sexed semen. The sector is also transforming its production model to enhance resilience, including f
Centrale Danone announced the launch of the "Milk Academy" in Morocco and highlighted the "Dawam" program at the 18th International Agricultural Show in Morocco SIAM 2026, held in Meknes on April 22. These initiatives are part of an approach dedicated to the resilience of animal production.
OCP Group is participating in the 2026 International Agricultural Show in Morocco SIAM in Meknes, showcasing a comprehensive and integrated vision for agriculture. The Group's pavilion illustrates how each component, from soil to livestock, forms a coherent ecosystem. Through an immersive educational experience, OCP highlights the central role of phosphorus as a key element connecting soil fertility, crop growth, forage quality, and livestock performance.
For the first time, the International Correctional and Prisons Association ICPA is holding its world conference in Africa, signaling a strategic shift to recognize the continent as a source of innovative solutions for correctional challenges. Forty-five nations are participating, sharing over a millennium of collective experience in prison management. The conference, themed "Human and Resilient Futures: Rethinking Prisons Through Innovation, Infrastructure, and Technology," aims to create a global platform for knowledge exchange, highlight innovative approaches balancing security and human dignity, explore designs adapted to regional contexts, address specific challenges in African prison systems like overcrowding and insufficient staff, and foster collaboration among various sectors. Key themes include smart planning and design, digital innovation, sustainable infrastructure, rights-based approaches, and specific challenges and opportunities in African prison systems. Terry Hackett, Senior Associate at the International Centre for Criminal Law Reform, noted the universal challenges of overcrowding, aging infrastructure, and under-resourced staff. Natalie Boal, ICPA Executive Director, emphasized that current prison infrastructures were not designed for today's pressures or rehabilitation needs. Kim Ekhaugen, ICPA Vice President, stressed that no single institution can build future prison systems alone and that facility design reflects societal values. Morocco is showcasing i