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Work Inspection Reveals Thousands of Violations in the Café and Restaurant Sector
Younes Sekouri, the Minister of Economic Integration, Small Enterprises, Employment, and Skills, revealed that Labor Inspection interventions resulted in 1,717 visits to the café and restaurant sector during the first half of 2025, accounting for 14.09% of total visits. During these inspections, 13,699 observations were directed.
In response to a written question from MP Aziz Boujird, the minister explained that the observations primarily concerned wages, with 4,243 references; social protection, with 1,883 references; and health and safety, with 132 observations. Furthermore, 39 discrepancy reports were issued that included 258 violations and 97 infractions.
Regarding 2024, official data indicated that 4,050 inspection visits were conducted in the café, restaurant, and hospitality sector, resulting in 30,320 observations. This included 8,177 related to wages, 3,749 regarding social protection, and 503 pertaining to health and safety. Additionally, 48 reports were filed, detailing 66 violations and 141 infractions.
The government official noted that, as part of the national labor inspection program for 2023, priority was given to monitoring vulnerable sectors, including cafés and restaurants. A total of 3,536 visits were completed, resulting in 13,769 observations, which were distributed among 7,049 concerning wages, 4,583 about social protection, 1,910 related to working hours, and 227 on health and safety.
The minister confirmed that coordination with the public prosecutor’s office is in place to exchange information regarding the outcomes of registered violations and court rulings, reinforcing compliance among private sector institutions with social laws and safeguarding workers’ rights.
Sekouri emphasized that café and restaurant workers are subject to the same social legislation as other private sector employees, highlighting that the labor inspection agency intervenes through scheduled visits or in response to complaints to monitor compliance with legal provisions, issuing warnings or reports as necessary.
In terms of wages, the minister noted a 5% increase in the legal minimum wage in non-agricultural activities, to be paid in two phases, the first of which began in January 2025, according to decree No. 2.24.1122.
The government official concluded by affirming that the gradual review of the labor code, as stipulated in the two social agreements signed on April 30, 2022, and April 29, 2024, represents an opportunity to address issues arising from practical implementation, aimed at ensuring fairness for this segment of workers through a participatory approach with social partners.
