Morocco

Region: Northern Africa Regional Economic Communities (REC): AMU · CEN-SAD

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(To be linked)

• AMU
• CEN-SAD

Morocco’s population is estimated at over 38 million (2025).

The informal economy is a structural feature of the labour market, with estimates indicating:

• 27%–42% of GDP
• Up to 77%+ of total employment
• Approximately 83% of businesses operating informally (2025 estimate)

Morocco operates a mixed legal system, combining:

• French civil law
• Islamic (Sharia) law (Maliki school)
• Customary practices

This produces a pluralist legal order, with both formal and informal justice systems coexisting.

Morocco has been a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 1956.

The Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) focuses on:

• Employment creation
• Social protection
• Rights at work
• Social dialogue

Early implementation included the Decent Work Pilot Programme (2002) targeting the textile sector.

Workers’ protections are grounded in:

• Labour Code
• Social security legislation
• Constitutional guarantees

However:

• Large segments of informal workers remain outside effective protection
• Enforcement gaps persist

Domestic Workers Law (2018)

• Introduces formal employment contracts
• Regulates working hours
• Guarantees weekly rest
• Establishes minimum wage protections

Key initiatives:

• RAMED (medical assistance scheme) – provides healthcare access for low-income and informal workers
• Unionisation in sectors (e.g. textiles) – improves working conditions and bargaining capacity

Act No. 19-12 (2016)

• Defines domestic workers (Art. 1)
• Requires formal employment contracts (Art. 3)
• Applies Labour Code rules to foreign domestic workers

Decree No. 2-17-355 (2017)

• Establishes standard employment contract template

Decree No. 2-17-356 (2017)

• Prohibits hazardous work for domestic workers aged 16–18

Regulated through:

• Municipal by-laws
• Commercial legislation
• Auto-Entrepreneur Programme

Key features:

• Simplified registration and taxation
• Localised regulation (location, hours, permits)
• Formalisation pathway for informal traders

Law 28-00 on Waste Management (2006)

• Governs waste prevention, treatment, and disposal
• Introduces recycling and recovery frameworks

Key strategies:

• National Waste Reduction and Recovery Strategy (SNRVD) – target: 70% recycling by 2030
• Eco-tax on plastics (2013)
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Implementation supported by:

• National Municipal Solid Waste Programme (PNDM)
• Public-private partnerships

No comprehensive legal framework currently.

Developments:

• Draft regulation for remote work (2020)
• Anticipated Labour Code reform (expected 2025)

Current position:

• Governed by contractual arrangements
• Employer obligations may include provision of equipment and cost coverage

Governed by:

• Law 114-13 (self-employed status)

Key characteristics:

• Workers classified as self-employed entrepreneurs
• Excluded from Labour Code protections
• Voluntary (non-mandatory) access to social insurance

Emerging issue:

• Regulatory gap for platform-based labour

Regulated under Labour Code and sector-specific provisions:

• Annual working time: 2,496 hours
• Agricultural minimum wage (SMAG)
• Mandatory social security registration
• Paid annual leave: 18 days

Challenges:

• High levels of informality
• Weak enforcement
• Restrictions on collective labour action

Mining Law No. 33-13 (2015)

• Establishes licensing system for mining activities
• Expands sector beyond phosphate extraction

Includes:

• Formalisation of artisanal mining
• Institutional support (e.g. Central Purchasing Development Office)

Regulatory framework:

• Licensing requirements for taxis
• Restrictions on unlicensed digital platforms

Key dynamics:

• Legal uncertainty around ride-hailing apps
• Conflict between traditional taxis and platform services
• Ongoing regulatory reform efforts

(Content to be added)

• IIAG – Morocco: https://iiag.online/locations/ma.html
• Law 28-00 on Waste Management
• Mining Law No. 33-13 (2015)
• Domestic Workers Law No. 19-12 (2016)
• Morocco Labour Code