Morocco: Unions protest a repressive ‘strike law’ that further erodes agricultural workers’ rights
On February 5 and 6, 2025, a general strike took place in Morocco, organized by the Moroccan Labor Union (UMT) and its affiliates across all sectors, notably the FNSA-UMT, the National Federation of the Agricultural Sector, a member of La Via Campesina in the ARNA region – the Arab region and North Africa.
Hundreds of agricultural workers gathered in front of the headquarters of the Moroccan Labor Union to express their rejection of the ‘strike law’, raising powerful slogans affirming their determination to continue the struggle until its repeal.
This unprecedented mobilization aimed to protest against the adoption of Organic Law No. 97.15, which governs the exercise of the right to strike and is deemed restrictive and contrary to the interests of agricultural workers. Its objective is to oppose the Moroccan government’s regressive, anti-social, and unpopular policies, which seek to suppress the right to protest against injustice and to defend the rights of agricultural workers through a strike law that hinders the exercise of this fundamental right. These dangerous legislative measures aim to roll back achievements and prevent demonstrations against aggressive policies.
For some time now, the Moroccan government has been insisting on passing this law, which is considered within the FNSA-UMT as restrictive and criminal regarding the right to strike, in total contradiction with the country’s Constitution. The latter explicitly guarantees the exercise of this right, particularly in Article 29, which emphasizes that all constitutions since 1962 have enshrined this human right. However, the current Moroccan government, which defends the interests of local and foreign capital, persists in pushing for the adoption of this restrictive law despite opposition from unions and progressive forces in the country.
For the National Federation of the Agricultural Sector (FNSA), the law, which was officially approved on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, in the House of Representatives after the second reading, will have a significant impact on the Moroccan working class in general and on agricultural workers in particular. The complex procedure outlined in this law will complicate the exercise of the right to strike, especially in agricultural units and farms where unions are absent. Moreover, the heavy penalties and fines, which can reach up to $850, imposed on workers and peasants who do not comply with the provisions of the strike law, represent an additional threat to their right to mobilize.
“This restrictive law on the right to strike primarily serves the interests of large companies and agricultural enterprises, whether local or foreign, as well as multinational corporations that will continue to violate the rights of agricultural workers without the slightest consideration. Their main means of struggle, the strike, has been taken away from them with the adoption of this repressive legislation.”
This legislative framework constitutes a considerable obstacle for Moroccan agricultural workers wishing to protest against their disastrous working conditions, the almost non-existent application of the Labor Code on most farms, and persistent wage discrimination, with the minimum wage in the agricultural sector remaining well below that of other sectors. For them, struggle and resistance in the face of these repressive measures are essential imperatives to claim their fundamental rights.