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In a significant legislative move, Morocco’s Parliament has approved three key bills aimed at overhauling port governance, expanding vocational programs for unqualified individuals, and enhancing working conditions for security guards. These reforms reflect the government’s ongoing commitment to modernize public institutions and boost employment opportunities.
Port Governance Reform: A New Company Model
During a session on Monday, the Moroccan Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favor of transforming the National Ports Agency into a joint-stock company. This decision, reflected in the approval of Bill No. 34.25, was supported by 80 members, with only two opposing voices. Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, emphasized that this transition aligns with governmental objectives to modernize public institutions, ensuring increased management efficiency while safeguarding the rights and welfare of the workforce.
The newly formed company will maintain entirely state-owned capital, governed by an administrative board of independent directors and a general manager responsible for daily operations. This structural change is designed to enhance the management, development, and maintenance of ports—excluding the Tangier-Med and Michlifen Lake sites—adapting to the evolving demands of the maritime sector.
Expanding Opportunities for Unqualified Workers
In parallel, the Parliament passed Bill No. 51.25, aimed at broadening access to training programs for integrating the unqualified workforce. With 89 votes in favor and 15 abstentions, this bill signifies a pivotal shift in policy, as it now allows non-degree holders to benefit from vocational training previously limited to those with qualifications.
Economic Integration Minister Younes Skouri explained that the duration of training will be reduced from 24 to 12 months, complemented by incentives for businesses that officially employ trainees. He highlighted the rising demand for this demographic in crucial sectors such as agriculture, construction, and services, with the agency currently managing around 120,000 pending requests for employment.
Enhanced Protection for Security Guards
The vote also addressed the working conditions of security guards through Bill No. 32.26, which modifies the labor code to standardize their working hours to a maximum of eight per day. Previously, instances of up to 12-hour shifts were commonplace. This unanimous approval reflects an urgent need to provide better labor protections for this vital segment of the workforce.
These legislative advances are part of a broader strategy to enhance the legal framework governing public facilities, widen employment prospects, and strengthen social security for various worker categories, reinforcing the government’s commitment to a more inclusive and equitable labor market.
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Morocco Parliament, port governance reform, vocational training, employment opportunities, security guards working conditions, public institutions modernization
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Morocco’s Parliament approves key reforms in port governance, vocational training for unqualified workers, and improved conditions for security guards.
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Morocco takes a bold step towards modernizing its workforce and public institutions with the approval of three transformative legislative bills.
