Expert: Morocco's Daylight Saving Time is a Sovereign Decision Serving Economic Interests

From Rabat, Hespress community

The decision to implement daylight saving time in Morocco is a sovereign act, not a mere regulatory adjustment, according to economic expert Mehdi Faqir. Speaking on the "Hespress Debate" program, Faqir emphasized that this decision is rooted in the nation's supreme interests and the public good. He called for a comprehensive, 360-degree understanding of the policy, moving beyond narrow or fragmented viewpoints, and urged a re-evaluation of citizen engagement within the true geopolitical and economic context.

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The adoption of "daylight saving time" in Morocco is a sovereign decision taken by the state based on the supreme interests and the public good, not just a temporary organizational or political measure.

Faqir highlighted that temporal alignment with European partners is fundamentally beneficial for Morocco, given the country's deep economic and infrastructural ties with the continent. This includes ports, airports, and service outsourcing companies. Furthermore, he noted that daylight saving time enhances Morocco's tourism appeal, particularly for weekend visitors who prefer to enjoy short breaks without the biological disruption of adjusting their watches to match European times.

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Temporal alignment with the European partner fundamentally serves the public interest, given Morocco's close ties with Europe through infrastructure such as ports and airports, and service outsourcing companies, as well as its vital role in enhancing tourism attractiveness, especially for "weekend" tourists who prefer to spend their short vacations in Morocco without having to adjust their biological clocks to match those of their countries.

Addressing social criticisms, Faqir rejected the notion that daylight saving time is responsible for Morocco's structural issues, social backwardness, or class disparities. He pointed out that the kingdom has weathered economic crises and implemented structural adjustment programs in times without daylight saving, indicating that societal problems are more complex. However, he acknowledged, as a father and citizen, the genuine difficulties, particularly the morning darkness during winter, which affect student safety, a concern even recognized by the government.

As a practical solution to the wintertime challenges, Faqir suggested a slight adjustment to school start times, shifting them half an hour later to 9:00 AM instead of 8:30 AM. This, he believes, would effectively resolve the morning darkness issue. Institutionally, he appealed to the government to take responsibility, overcome communication shortcomings, and expedite the update and public clarification of a 2018 government study on the matter. He also called for the implementation of accompanying measures promised by the government, such as flexible working hours and consultations with unions and the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises to align private sector schedules.

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The real problem is confined to these six winter months, while summer time does not create any noticeable crisis.

Faqir proposed that a neutral, independent body like the High Commission for Planning, with its precise statistical data, should conduct a comprehensive and objective assessment. He strongly condemned what he termed "nihilism" and the belittling of state institutions and elected bodies, warning against opportunistic political exploitation of citizen grievances. He asserted that the current government derives its legitimacy from the ballot box, and strategic decisions serving the nation's higher interests may sometimes require difficult measures. He stressed that any change or cancellation of the current time should follow democratic channels, presenting convincing alternatives rather than resorting to populist discourse that undermines institutional credibility.

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The government must assume its responsibilities and emerge from its communication deficit, and it must expedite the updating of the government study conducted in 2018 and clarify its contents to the public.