Aziz Akhannouch’s government is preparing to offer the unions an agreement covering several of their demands. The unions are asking to raise the threshold of the SMIG, SMAG and the CNSS reference salary ceiling.
The executive has drawn up several proposals which it will submit to the most representative unions within the framework of social dialogue, an operation which should also be institutionalized. The government aims to reach an agreement with them by May 1, before Labor Day.
The government’s proposals are not yet known, but according to close sources consulted by MoroccoLatestNews, the demand for higher salaries for public sector employees will be difficult to meet due to the current economic situation, in particular because of the rise in prices of fuels and consumables which are subject to international fluctuations.
On Wednesday, the ministers in charge of the social dialogue negotiations informed the head of government of the progress of their discussions with the unions during a meeting.
Over the past few days, the Department for Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Jobs and Skills has held several meetings with the unions, in an attempt to reach an agreement by May Day.
Discussions between the Ministry and the trade unions continue to be held on the subject of wage increases, in particular with regard to the unification of the minimum wage in the agricultural sector (SMAG) with the minimum wage in the industrial sectors, trade and liberal professions (SMIG).
A source from the Ministry of Economic Integration did not rule out that the request regarding the SMAG would be met, particularly in view of the participation of the Moroccan Confederation of Agriculture and Rural Development in the dialogue.
Currently, the minimum wage in the agricultural sector does not exceed 1,859.79 dirhams, against 2,638 dirhams as the minimum wage in the sectors of industry, commerce and the liberal professions.
The unions are calling for several changes, including an increase in wages in the industrial and service sectors, the agricultural and forestry sectors, and above all the revision of the reference ceiling for wages of the National Social Security Fund (CNSS ) set at 6,000 dirhams.
This ceiling is the basis used by the CNSS to calculate compensation, in particular that of loss of employment. Thus, all persons with salaries higher than 6,000 dirhams do not receive more than these allowances calculated on the basis of this reference salary, even if they contribute more.
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