Employment and social dialogue priorities at the heart of a meeting between the CGEM and the Minister of Employment and Social Dialogue

Casablanca – Employment, professional integration, companies’ recruitment needs, and the priorities of tripartite social dialogue were the focus of a meeting held Tuesday between the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) and the Minister of Employment and Social Dialogue, Abderrahim Chahid.

As the Moroccan economy enters a new phase of growth, the CGEM reaffirmed the private sector’s commitment to investing and creating sustainable jobs throughout the country, the Confederation stated in a press release.

To ensure these investments open new career opportunities for young people, the Confederation emphasized the need to anticipate companies’ skills needs and adapt training programs accordingly, the same source noted, adding that the discussions also highlighted a paradox in the Moroccan labor market: many young people are seeking employment, while companies struggle to recruit.

Discussions focused on ways to raise awareness of in-demand professions, connect candidates with employers, and address the evolving expectations of young people regarding work.

Regarding social dialogue, the CGEM (General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises) highlighted four priorities: The first concerns the modernization of the Labor Code. The Confederation wishes to resume discussions with social partners on its proposals to better regulate the various forms of employment and work organization, particularly in seasonal or project-based activities, while guaranteeing employee protection and legal security for businesses.

The second issue concerns continuing education, the current system of which benefits less than 1% of contributing companies. The CGEM called for the implementation of the April 2026 agreement on governance separate from that of the OFPPT (Office for Vocational Training and Employment Promotion), through the revision of Law No. 60-17 and the simplification of training access procedures.

Regarding pension reform, the Confederation advocates for the resumption of the technical committee’s work according to a precise timetable, with the aim of ensuring the financial sustainability of the pension schemes and intergenerational equity, while controlling the reform’s impact on labor costs and business competitiveness.

Finally, the CGEM called for the completion of the implementation of the organic law on the right to strike through the publication of implementing regulations, particularly those concerning strike committees and minimum service requirements in essential sectors.

Following this meeting, the CGEM proposed to the Minister that they agree on a tripartite roadmap specifying, for each project, the priorities, timeline, and working methods.

Those who participated in this meeting included Abed Chagar, President of the CGEM’s Upscaling and Industrial Zones Commission and of the Federation of Chemical and Parachemical Industries (FCP); Omar Kadaoui, President of the CGEM Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima; Mohamed Ammouri, member of the CGEM Group in the House of Councillors; Khalid Jababdi, Vice-President of the Social Dialogue Commission; and Samia Terhzaz, Deputy Director General of the CGEM.