Politics

Moroccan government set to increase workers’ wages, social benefits

Published

2 years ago

May 1, 2022

The Moroccan government is currently negotiating an increase in workers wages and social benefits with three different unions, as well as the General Confederation of Enterprises of Morocco (CGEM), in commemoration of the Workers’ day on May 1.

The negotiations over wages and family benefits have been heating up between the government, with threats of strike actions which had forced the hands of the authorities to engage the organised labour with the hopes of reaching a new agreement before Labor Day.

The government’s proposal which includes two significant changes in favor of employees and those with children, sees a first 10% rise in the minimum wage, which would be phased over two years, with 5% from September 2022, followed by a further 5% increase a year later.

The second key change, according to the set out terms, would be an increase in family allowances for families with more than three children, from 36 dirhams to 100 dirhams.

This policy also comes in addition to social benefits payments currently fixed at 300 dirhams per month for each of the first three children.

To promote public-private sector equality, the government also plans to boost the minimum wage in the civil service by 16%, from MAD 3,000 ($299) to MAD 3,500 ($349) per month.

But minimum wage employees in the government sector, however, are becoming increasingly rare following adjustments to civil service salary scale with salaries for workers on scales 5 and 6 which is in the lowest rungs, account for only 13.41% of overall personnel expenditures.

Related Topics:Featured Minimum wage Morocco Social Benefits

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Politics

Zambian govt says no plan to remove Christian nation clause from constitution

Published

1 hour ago

December 10, 2023

Ifeoluwa Dada

Zambian Vice President Mutale Nalumango has maintained that the ruling party, the United Party for National Development (UPND), has adopted an inclusive approach to constitutional amendments.

Nalmango made the reiteration while answering questions before the National Assembly following concerns raised by Bwacha Member of Parliament, Sydney Mushanga, who questioned the government’s alleged intentions to tamper with constitutional provisions without engaging stakeholders.

Vice President Nalumango emphasised that the government’s guiding principles were firmly rooted in Christian values, and clarified that the government had no plans to remove clauses like the Christian nation clause.

She declared, “The government espouses Christian values, and we want to make that clear,” calling for an end to discussions based on false claims. “Christianity serves as the foundation for our values”.

She also confirmed her commitment to consultative decision-making. She stated, “Government has made it clear that it will first amend non-contentious clauses of the constitution in consultation with the stakeholders.”

In response to mounting pressures within the country following years as one- and later two-party states, the Zambian constitution was changed in 1991 to allow the reintroduction of a multiparty system.

Under the terms of the constitution, the president appoints the vice president, the chief justice, and members of the High Court on the advice of the Judicial Services Commission.

Politics

Uganda begins withdrawal of troops from eastern Congo DR

Published

2 hours ago

December 10, 2023

Ifeoluwa Dada

Uganda has started the withdrawal of 1,000 troops deployed for a regional peacekeeping mission in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

According to a statement released by the military, Uganda’s decision not to extend the mandate of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) past December 8 prompted the withdrawal.

At its meetings in Arusha, Tanzania, the CDF affirmed the DRC’s decision and advised the defence ministers of the East African Community (EAC) to formally terminate the EACRF’s operations in the country’s vast eastern region, effective December 8.

UPDF’s contingent spokesperson, Capt. Ahmad Hassan Kato, “UPDF will ensure to expedite the pull-out of its forces and equipment within the approved timelines as enshrined in the extraordinary meeting of EAC CDFS (Chief of Defense Forces) held on December 6.”

“The Uganda contingent urges all armed groups (in the Eastern DRC) to facilitate the withdrawal of the UPDF troops by observing a total ceasefire to allow the forces to exit the mission area safely,” said Kato.

Aside from EAC forces, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, also known as (MONUSCO), has around 12,400 troops in the Congo, with a cost of over $1 billion per year.

Lately, there has been an upsurge in violence in Congo, DR. High rates of civilian casualties and displacement have been caused by hostilities with neighbouring countries, political violence, extrajudicial killings by security forces, and conflicts between militant groups over territory and natural resources.

According to the United Nations, more than 100 armed groups and local militias operate in the eastern DRC.