Moroccan union urges government to suspend strike law after international ruling

Morocco's largest labor union, the Moroccan Labor Union (UMT), has called on the government to suspend the existing strike law and develop a new one that complies with international regulations. The union's demand comes after a recent ruling by the International Court of Justice.

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This advisory opinion issued by the highest judicial body of the United Nations confirms the correctness of the positions of the Moroccan Labor Union, which has remained steadfast and rejected the infamous organizational law No. 97.15.

The court's advisory opinion affirmed that the right to strike is implicitly guaranteed for workers and their trade unions. The UMT, led by Miloudi Moukharik, sees this ruling as a significant validation of its stance against the current organizational law No. 97.15 concerning strikes. The union advocates for genuine negotiations to create a balanced and internationally compliant legal framework for exercising the right to strike.

UMT highlighted that the International Court of Justice's opinion supports its consistent rejection of the "infamous" law, warning of potential international repercussions for Morocco regarding fundamental labor rights. The union emphasized that Morocco, like other member states, is obligated to adhere to the International Labour Organization's core conventions.

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This decision by the International Court of Justice in The Hague is not just an advisory opinion on the matter, but it constitutes a new international standard that cannot be bypassed or circumvented by enacting regressive national laws.

The union described the Hague court's decision as a "historic victory" for the global labor movement and Moroccan workers. They stressed that the advisory opinion sets a new international standard that cannot be ignored or circumvented by national laws. The current Moroccan law, they argue, imposes "unfeasible conditions" and punitive measures that contradict the essence of the right to strike.

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This historic decision is a victory for workers and the trade union movement in the face of the encroachment of employers and parts of governments on the right to strike, undermining it and circumventing it by fabricating tailor-made laws that shackle and obstruct the exercise of this human and universal right.