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A new legislative proposal aimed at overhauling Morocco’s direct social support system has garnered unanimous backing from the Education, Cultural Affairs, and Social Affairs Committee in the Council of Advisors. This development signals a significant shift in the government’s approach to social welfare, emphasizing job market integration alongside financial assistance for families.
Reforming Social Support: Key Changes on the Horizon
In a session held yesterday, the Minister Delegate for Budget, Fouzi Lekjaa, articulated the government’s intentions behind the revised bill, known as Law No. 041.26. The initiative seeks to dismantle barriers that have hindered many families from participating in the formal job market, particularly due to fears that accepting employment might mean losing their social benefits.
A Safety Net for Families
One of the major components of the new legislation is the introduction of an exceptional grant for families who deter from registering members with the National Social Security Fund due to potential loss of benefits. This grant, disbursed under specific conditions yet to be defined, aims to bridge the gap between receiving aid and professional integration.
Additionally, the legislation allows families to continue benefiting from direct social support while earning an income from formal employment for a set period. This dual approach is intended to foster professional stability, enabling families to access rights associated with employment, such as family allowances.
Automatic Reinstatement of Benefits
A noteworthy innovation is the provision for the automatic reinstatement of social benefits if a family member loses their job, even after they have transitioned to the wage-earning phase. This measure aims to provide an added layer of security for families amid the volatile job market.
Currently, the direct social support program serves around four million families and more than five million children, costing approximately 2.2 billion dirhams (around $220 million) monthly. Since its inception, the program has allocated close to 62 billion dirhams (around $6.2 billion).
Support from Stakeholders
Members of the Council of Advisors have expressed optimism that the proposed amendments will eliminate significant barriers preventing beneficiaries from entering the formal workforce without the fear of losing their benefits immediately.
Unions have similarly welcomed these changes, particularly the provision for regain of benefits upon job loss, viewing it as a crucial enhancement to the social protection framework. However, they are calling for additional reforms to ensure greater stability for working families and facilitate their gradual transition away from dependency towards self-sufficiency.
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Meta Description: Morocco’s new social support bill aims to enhance job market integration, providing crucial changes to family welfare benefits.
Social Media Hook: Morocco reinvigorates its social support system with new legislation aimed at empowering families to thrive in the job market without losing aid.
