The Moroccan government is making strides to address one of the primary demands of the Association of University Professors, as initial indications from the budgetary sector led by Fawzi Lekjaa suggest a willingness to generalize the calculation of nine years of professional service for this group. This development emerged during a recent round of sectoral dialogue between the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, and the National Union of Higher Education. The discussions covered several critical issues, with the expansion of this initiative being a focal point, which had previously been limited to a specific group of professors, particularly those in medical and pharmaceutical faculties.
According to consistent information, discussions have not only revolved around the principle of generalization but also delved into the technical aspects related to its implementation. An initial draft regulatory text was presented, and an agreement was reached to continue consultations to refine it, addressing both legal wording and the method of its application—whether immediate or gradual. However, this approach is not without complexities, as union sources indicate that the currently proposed version may perpetuate a previous logic by restricting benefits to certain categories only, prompting representatives of the professors to call for a reconsideration of the project to ensure inclusivity and avoid excluding any groups.
In a related context, the issue of seniority within the public service was raised, where the ministry presented an initial vision aligned with union proposals, but requested additional alternatives in anticipation of potential objections from other relevant government sectors, particularly those related to finance and public administration. Regarding professional promotions, significant progress has been made, with the majority of pending cases from 2023 being addressed, leaving only a limited number still under review and settlement.
Moreover, the issue of equivalency for certain foreign degrees, especially the French doctorate, has seen notable progress, with a final agreement reached on this matter, a move expected to reinforce the principle of equal opportunities within the university system. However, concerning the tax exemption related to scientific research compensations, this option appears to face challenges at the governmental consensus level, leading to a shift towards alternative solutions, including revising the value of these compensations to offset tax impacts, a proposal anticipated to be discussed more extensively in upcoming meetings.
While these developments reflect a relative advancement in some issues, union sources emphasize that there remains a long way to go in resolving all outstanding points, given the persistence of certain reservations within decision-making circles, indicating that dialogue will remain open for further discussions in the coming phase.
As reported by klamkom.com.
