Connect with us

Politics

Moroccan government set to increase workers’ wages, social benefits

Published

on

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.

Politics

S’Africa lengthens troop deployment in Mozambique, Congo DR 

Published

on

President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a speech that South Africa’s military would keep sending troops to Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which are both in the middle of wars.

The extension will leave 1,198 members of the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) in eastern Congo for an unknown amount of time. They are there as part of a United Nations peacekeeping force helping Congo fight rebel groups.

The statement also said that 1,495 members of the SANDF would keep working in Mozambique, where they have been since 2021 helping the government fight dangerous extremism in the north.

After two SANDF troops were killed and three were hurt by a mortar bomb in Congo in February, South Africa’s military operations abroad have been looked at more closely at home this year.

Meanwhile, the major opposition party in South Africa, the Democratic Alliance, said that Ramaphosa sent troops into a war zone without being ready.
Under the supervision of the UN, the SANDF has taken on many dangerous and difficult peacekeeping tasks over the years to help war-torn African countries stay stable and peaceful.

In 2003, South Africa was one of the first countries to send troops to Burundi to help the peace process. During the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) peacekeeping mission in 2000, the SANDF led attempts to stabilize the country’s politics, rebuild and improve infrastructure, and train DRC troops.

Continue Reading

Politics

Digital Rights: Policy enthusiast, Jere, advocates self-regulation as alternative to govt regulations

Published

on

Copperbelt businessman and mining policy advocate, George Jere, has highlighted the importance of self-regulation in the expanding digital media landscape, countering arguments against freedom of speech.

In an exclusive discussion with Zambia Monitor, Jere challenged notions surrounding media freedom and digital rights, emphasizing the indispensable role of effective media instruments in national progress.

“Digital media’s unrestricted nature facilitates publishing, although tracking those behind it poses challenges for government intervention,” Jere remarked, advocating for self-regulation as a preferable alternative to government restrictions.

He stressed the need for a balanced approach between private and public media operations, criticizing the high level of censorship in public media channels.

“While cyber security laws fall short, self-regulation offers a more effective solution for managing digital platforms,” Jere asserted, expressing disappointment in the government’s failure to enact comprehensive media reforms.

Jere cautioned against subjective regulations aimed at suppressing dissenting voices, urging authorities to reconsider laws through inclusive consultations.

“Media freedom should extend to all, including rural communities, chiefs, and church leaders, across traditional, social, and digital platforms,” he emphasized.

Reflecting on public media governance, Jere noted its tendency to align with ruling interests, calling for fairer recruitment processes for media executives to ensure unbiased coverage.

Regarding proposed taxes on online livestream programmes, Jere questioned the necessity of double taxation, suggesting negotiation of percentage-based levies to support domestic resource mobilization without unfairly targeting individuals.

As debates on freedom of speech and media regulation continue, Jere remained steadfast in advocating for inclusive, balanced media practices to foster national development.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.

Continue Reading

EDITOR’S PICK

Metro52 seconds ago

Nigerian troops neutralise 216 terrorists, arrest 332 in one week— Official

The Nigerian Army Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops from different operation theaters across the country neutralised 216 terrorists and arrested...

Musings From Abroad4 mins ago

Nigeria loses $9.2 billion to foreign shipowners

A group of maritime experts has revealed that Nigeria loses $9.2bn a year to foreign shipping lines that carry goods...

VenturesNow17 mins ago

Nigeria wants managers for proposed $10 billion diaspora fund

A tender paper shows that Nigeria is looking for fund managers for a $10 billion diaspora fund to bring in...

Sports17 hours ago

Al Ahly, Esperance to clash in CAF Champions League final

Two of Africa’s club giants, Egypt’s Al Ahly and Esperance of Tunisia, will do battle next month over two legs...

Culture17 hours ago

Collabo with Burna Boy enabled me buy house for my mum— Mozambican DJ Tarico

Mozambican disc jockey and sound-producer, DJ Tarico, has credited Nigeria’s Afrobeats sensation, Burna Boy, with his sudden wealth which enabled...

Tech18 hours ago

RepAir, Cella partner to launch carbon capture in Kenya

Global Direct Air Capture (DAC) firm, RepAir, has entered into a partnership with carbon storage technology company, Cella, to launch...

Metro19 hours ago

Mapanza traditional council shares positive outlook on media rights, freedom of expression

Jonathan Muchindu, a representative of the Traditional Council of Mapanza Chiefdom in Choma District, Southern Province, Zambia, asserts that the...

VenturesNow20 hours ago

World Bank grants Malawi $57.6 million for food crisis

As a response to its food crisis, the World Bank said on Friday that it would give Malawi $57.6 million...

Metro1 day ago

Nigeria loses N1.29trn annually to crude oil theft, vandalism— Reps Speaker

Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has revealed that the country loses a whopping sum of N1.29...

Tech2 days ago

Intel Liftoff Hackathon 2024 calls for applications from African AI startups

Applications for the 2024 cohort of Intel Liftoff Hackathon has opened for African AI startups designed to bring together aspiring...

Trending