Global Rights Index 2014 - Morocco

Country Rating: 4

• Systematic violation of rights

• Workers in countries with the rating of 4 have reported systematic violations. The government and/or companies are engaged in serious efforts to crush the collective voice of workers, putting fundamental rights under continuous threat.

The Confédération Démocratique du Travail (CDT) reports that the distribution of information material and the organisation of protests action by workers have been prohibited on frequent basis. The refinery company Samir has used discriminatory measures against trade unionists such as transfers, suspensions and dismissals. State-controlled companies and local governments often try to falsify the results of union elections. Moreover, Danone refuses to bargain in good faith with workers delaying negotiations to prevent agreements to be concluded. The company also does not provide accurate and complete information about the financial situation of the country. The government and employers cooperate to break strikes. CDT pointed out that employers hire replacement workers and the government uses sanctions to discourage workers from participating in strikes.

Management of the call centre company "Total Call" refuses to recognise unions for collective bargaining purposes. Moreover, 13 union members were dismissed after having announced the establishment of a union in the company, including Mostafa Berrchid, El Mehdi Nasseur, and Kamal Souker.

Anti-union practices at City Bus company in Fes: Since City Bus was contracted to manage urban transport in Fes in September 2012, there have been anti-union activities at the company, including: refusal by the local authorities to recognise the union office; the use of workers outside the company to break a strike organised in 13 May 2013; and the use of police to remove workers who were taking part in protest action.