Morocco’s Committee of Social Sectors in the Lower House adopted on Wednesday, Draft Organic Law No. 97.15, which outlines the conditions and procedures for exercising the right to strike.
The proposed legislation, approved by a majority vote, introduces several provisions aimed at structuring and clarifying the right to strike, including new definitions intended to delineate its scope and guiding principles.
However, critics argue that these definitions are too vague, leaving room for broad interpretation. This could expose workers to legal challenges for actions previously considered legitimate.
One of the most debated provisions is Article 4, which designates the entities authorized to call for strikes. The language centralizes decision-making power, potentially sidelining grassroots movements and unregistered unions.
Similarly, Article 5 explicitly bans certain types of strikes, such as “political strikes,” and deems any action outside the law’s framework illegal. Some have expressed concern that this could allow authorities to broadly label various protests as unlawful, suppressing dissent.
The removal of penal sanctions and imprisonment for striking workers is a step forward in protecting labor rights. However, significant barriers remain. Centralizing authority over strike calls restricts independent and grassroots initiatives, consolidating control over labor protests.
Additionally, while the abolition of mandatory questioning during strikes is a positive change, the procedural and legal obstacles still in place may undermine workers’ ability to strike effectively and spontaneously.