Moroccan trade unions launch a national campaign to promote the rights of migrant and refugees workers

The Union Marocaine du Travail (UMT), the Union Générale des Travailleurs du Maroc (UGTM) and the Confédération Démocratique du Travail (CDT) have launched during the period of June – July, a national information and awareness campaign aimed at promoting the rights of migrant workers and refugees in Morocco. Implemented with the technical support of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and financial support from Swiss cooperation, the initiative reflects the commitment of Morocco's trade unions to advancing decent work, equal treatment and social inclusion through social dialogue.

The campaign is implemented within the framework of the Joint Charter of the Moroccan Social Partners, adopted in 2022 by the three trade union confederations together with employers' organizations. The Charter provides a shared framework for promoting and protecting the rights of migrant and refugees workers in accordance with Moroccan labour legislation and international labour standards. Building on this commitment, the campaign contributes to strengthening social dialogue on labour migration while fostering inclusive labour markets and greater respect for workers' rights.

Morocco has become an important country of origin, transit and destination for migration. Migrant and refugees workers contribute significantly to the country's economic and social development. Nevertheless, many continue to face challenges in accessing decent work, social protection and reliable information on their labour rights. Employers also need greater awareness of their legal responsibilities, while misconceptions about migration continue to influence public perceptions.

Against this backdrop, the campaign seeks to promote a better understanding of labour rights and responsibilities through a comprehensive communication strategy combining awareness raising, capacity building and community engagement. It is built around four main objectives:

• Inform migrant workers and refugees about their labour rights, available complaint mechanisms and the right to join trade unions.
• Raise employers' awareness of their legal obligations and promote inclusive employment practices.
• Foster positive public attitudes by highlighting the contribution of migrant workers and refugees to Morocco's economic and social development.
• Strengthen a regional network of trained trade union representatives, journalists and civil society organizations to act as trusted information relays and support migrant communities.

The campaign was implemented in the regions of Agadir (Agriculture, tourism), Tangier (Tourism, Construction) and Rabat–Kenitra–Gharb (Agriculture), where migrant workers are particularly active in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, construction, industry and services. Regional structures of UMT, UGTM and CDT coordinated outreach activities, organize awareness sessions and facilitate dialogue between workers, employers and local stakeholders.

As part of the initiative, multilingual communication materials—including posters, videos and social media content in Arabic and French—were produced and disseminated at the national level. Local media coverage and public events amplified further the campaign's messages. Dedicated training sessions for trade union focal points and journalists strengthened their capacity to communicate accurately on labour migration, migrant workers' rights and responsible migration narratives.

The campaign conveys a simple but powerful message: At work, rights are fundamental: All workers have rights and deserve dignity, protection and equal treatment, regardless of their nationality or migration status. It also encouraged employers to uphold labour standards and inclusive workplace practices while promoting solidarity and social cohesion within Moroccan society.

By placing trade unions at the centre of the initiative, the campaign reinforces their role as key actors in protecting workers' rights, providing information and support services, and promoting social dialogue. Through the collaboration between UMT, UGTM, CDT, the ILO, civil society organizations and the media, the initiative contributes to building more inclusive labour markets where migrant workers and refugees can exercise their rights and fully participate in Morocco's social and economic development.

The campaign forms part of the ILO's broader efforts to promote fair recruitment, decent work, equal treatment and rights-based labour migration governance in Morocco. By reinforcing the role of social dialogue and empowering trade unions as trusted sources of information, the initiative contributes to building more inclusive labour markets where all workers can exercise their rights in safety and dignity.