The Moroccan government announced this week that it will delay the adoption of the highly controversial bill to merge two key social welfare institutions: the National Fund for Social Welfare Organizations (CNOPS) and the National Social Security Fund (CNSS).
The decision comes in response to widespread criticism from labor unions, which have condemned the “unilateral” development of the bill without their consultation.
Government spokesperson Mustapha Baitas confirmed that Bill No. 54.23, which outlines the merger, has been postponed to allow for a more comprehensive review and extended discussions.
“We’ve initiated talks on this bill, but we believe it requires further examination. Once we have a draft that addresses all concerns, we will move forward with its adoption,” Baitas said during a press conference following the September 19 government council meeting.
The delay follows complaints from labor unions, which argue that they were excluded from the decision-making process. Union representatives claim that the proposed merger will bring significant changes to both CNOPS staff and its members, making it crucial for all stakeholders to be involved.
The merger is part of a larger initiative aimed at unifying Morocco’s social security systems. Bill No. 54.23 seeks to amend existing laws on mandatory health insurance and align them with Framework Law No. 09.21 on social protection.
The merger would consolidate all public and private health insurance schemes under the CNSS, including coverage for individuals unable to contribute.
The proposed overhaul is intended to streamline administrative operations, manage financial risks more effectively, and ensure greater equity in access to healthcare services.
Both public and private sector employees, as well as their dependents, would benefit from standardized care and reimbursement procedures under the unified system.
A key factor driving the proposed merger is the financial disparity between CNSS and CNOPS. While CNSS has reported a surplus of several billion dirhams, CNOPS is grappling with a growing deficit.
Centralizing management under the CNSS is seen as a strategy to stabilize the system and improve its long-term financial sustainability.