Promoting the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work through Social Dialogue and Gender Equality in Morocco

Geographical Area of Implementation: Morocco

Donor: Human Resource and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)

Contact (s): Ms. Fatima IdAhmad, National Coordinator | Ms. Gehan ElSharkawy, Senior Programme Assistan

Project Background

This project is conceived to strengthen the institutionalization of social dialogue. Earlier in 2011, Morocco adopted an agenda for substantive political reform. In addition to the constitutional reform, an Economic and Social Council (ESC ) was established for the first time to support the dialogue between social partners and civil society organizations.

In 2011, the newly-established ESC held nine sessions and proposed a Social Charter. Specific chapters of the Charter are devoted to the promotion of social dialogue, collective bargaining and social democracy.

This project will help ILO constituents address new challenges, for instance the need to revise labour laws to democratize the governance of work, improve transparency and accountability of labour institutions, enhance respect for gender equality, and launch effective social dialogue process. It will also strengthen social dialogue institutions at all levels and promote the ILO 1998 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

Implementation strategy

The project strategy will specifically target the equal participation of men and women in social dialogue institutions and through the collective bargaining process.

A two-pronged approach is envisaged combining ( i ) advocacy awareness and capacity building activities on the fundamental principles and rights at work, especially regarding the importance of gender equality, and ( ii ) capacity building to provide constituents with the skills to engage in social dialogue and collective bargaining processes that help advance gender equality and non-discrimination. The project is based on the conviction that increasing women’s participation in trade unions is a prerequisite for sustained equality, inclusion and democratization in Morocco.

Objectives and expected outcomes:

Objectives

• Understanding fundamental principles and rights at work.
• Understanding legal framework for the process of social dialogue.

Expected outcomes:

• Strengthening protection of fundamental principles and rights at work.
• Increased general knowledge on fundamental principles and rights at work.
• Information and training of union gender committees and working women about labour rights and non-discrimination in the labour market.

Target groups and partners

Government

• Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training;
• Economic and Social Council.

Workers

• Fédération Démocratique du Travail (FDT)
• Union Générale des Travailleurs au Maroc (UGTM)
• Union Marocaine du Travail (UMT)
• Confédération Démocratique du Travail (CDT)
• Union Nationale du travail du Maroc (UNTM)

Employers

• Fédération des Chambres Marocaines de Commerce, d’Industrie et de Services (FCMCIS)
• Confédération Générale des Entreprises du Maroc (CGEM)

For further information please contact:

Fatima Idahmad, National coordinator
Email: [email protected]