Significant Changes in Labor Regulations for Security Personnel
Morocco is poised to implement a substantial labor reform that will redefine the working conditions for private security guards across the nation. In an announcement made during the April session of social dialogue, the government has decided to reduce the daily working hours for these guards from 12 to a more manageable 8 hours. This pivotal reform was publicly declared by Younes Sekkouri, the Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment, and Skills, who emphasized the importance of this change in addressing longstanding injustices that have persisted for nearly two decades.
Sekkouri further articulated that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen workers’ rights and enhance labor conditions, aligning with national priorities for economic and social development. The reform is particularly focused on amending Article 197 of Law No. 65-99, which constitutes Morocco’s Labor Code, thereby eliminating a provision that has allowed private security agents to work extended 12-hour shifts as outlined in Law No. 27-06.
Impacts and Implementation Timeline
Once this reform is enacted, the standard working hours for private security guards will align with the national norm of 8 hours per day, significantly improving the quality of life for approximately 400,000 workers in the sector. This includes numerous employees in vital industries such as education, healthcare, and banking. It is noteworthy that the rollout of this reform is scheduled for 2027, following a transitional phase designed to give both public and private employers adequate time to adjust their contracts and budgetary allocations accordingly.
However, the introduction of these new working hours is not without its challenges. The measure will necessitate a comprehensive reorganization of security services, transitioning from two to three shifts per day to accommodate the reduced work hours. Minister Sekkouri has indicated that this restructuring could lead to a significant increase in operational costs, with potential rises in client expenses—both for public institutions and private companies—estimated to be between 40% to 50%. Thus, while the reform represents a monumental step forward for labor rights, it also presents financial implications that stakeholders must navigate cautiously.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
