Archives LVE 1956. The Labor Code Soon to Be Ready

Among these measures, the first and most urgent has already come into effect: the increase in wages. In a statement to one of our colleagues in Rabat, Abdelhadi Boutaleb, Minister of Labor, commented on its meaning and scope in the following terms:

“The increase that has recently taken place,” he declared, “was absolutely necessary. Certainly, it was not as large as I would have liked it to be. But it represents the best compromise that could be obtained, within the joint commission, between the demands of the trade unions and those of the employers. Both sides ultimately showed themselves to be very reasonable. In any case, the increase was welcome and the psychological shock has been delivered.”

“I had the choice between an increase expressed as a percentage and an increase in absolute value. I chose the latter in order to allow workers to benefit from an equal increase in purchasing power, without taking into account regional allowances, age, or sex. I believe this solution was the right one.”

Mr. Boutaleb then emphasized that this increase had had no impact on prices and that, in his view, it constituted the fairest compromise. “It is important,” he specified, “that the factors involved in production costs are not disrupted, because Morocco, open to all world markets, faces very strong competition.”

The minister then outlined the action program he has set for himself in favor of workers:

The first stage has been the increase in wages. The second will be the establishment, by a joint commission, of a standard budget for the least advantaged worker. “As soon as this work is completed, I will propose this standard budget for approval by the Moroccan government. I should point out that the aim is only to define concretely the needs of the worker or employee, but in no way to officially establish a subsistence minimum.”

Regarding the vast problem of unemployment, Mr. Boutaleb recalled that he had become fully aware of its reality through the visits he recently made to Casablanca.

“I am considering,” he declared, “two solutions. The first, which is in fact only a temporary remedy, consists of opening as many public works sites for the unemployed as possible. I have requested funds for this purpose. Already in Casablanca, five worksites have been opened. They employ four hundred unemployed workers. Others are planned soon, which will employ 125 workers. I intend to multiply them and speed up their opening.”

“My second solution is to ask the government to make funds available to my ministry, which would then distribute them, according to need, among the various ministries responsible for major public works. The same would apply to certain equipment funds, which should preferably be used in regions where unemployment is most severe (…).”

Among other projects currently under study, Mr. Boutaleb mentioned the drafting of the Labor Code, which will be one of the essential parts of the new social organization in Morocco. A commission is currently working on preparing this text, which will be submitted for the approval of employers and labor unions.

“On this matter I am multiplying contacts with all those concerned, in order to arrive at a text that represents a true charter that will not be contested by anyone. I believe that this Code could be completed within a month. After that, time and funding will be needed. But I must add that my mission is greatly facilitated by the understanding of all those who share the same desire as I do to achieve this goal.”

Finally, the minister specified that the issue of mutual aid societies was also under study. “Mutualism represents another stage—and an important stage—of social progress. Yet no mutualist system exists in Morocco, and I consider this a serious deficiency. For this purpose, I have begun discussions with doctors, whose cooperation is indispensable. It is known that one of the main obstacles lies in the free choice of doctor, which the mutualist system may restrict. I have therefore asked the doctors themselves to draw up a proposal which they will submit. They have agreed, and I hope that soon the mutualist system will be able to be implemented in Morocco.”

Le Petit Casablancais.