In Casablanca, Morocco, The Democratic Confederation of Labor (CDT) defied government prohibitions today on their protest march against the rising cost of living and the decreasing purchasing power of Moroccans. Demonstrators voiced their dissatisfaction over the escalating poverty, pervasive corruption, spiraling living costs, dwindling wages, and the government’s unfulfilled social commitments.
As protesters chanted slogans like “this country is corrupt” and “shame on you, shame on you, the protest is peaceful, and you stopped it”, the sound of sirens from law enforcement vehicles became a consistent backdrop to the demonstration. The security forces encircled the protest in an attempt to disperse the crowd.
Despite the significant presence of law enforcement, protesters, including leaders from various organizations, persisted, calling for economic justice in Morocco. The heavy-handed response of security was heavily criticized, most notably by the Federation of Democratic Left, a coalition of three parties, following an assault on Abdeslam El Aziz, Secretary-General of said coalition.
Khalid Alami Houir, a member of the CDT’s Executive Office, stood firm in the face of the government’s prohibition, asserting the “constitutionally and internationally guaranteed rights to protest, peaceful demonstration, and freedom of expression and movement.”
“The CDT, in solidarity with other political, human rights, and trade union bodies, carried on with the demonstration, rejecting the ban. The protest encapsulated the nationwide frustration with economic hardship and the government’s indifference,” Houir stressed.
The demonstration was marked by various chants and slogans demanding freedom, dignity, and social justice.
The CDT stated that the march’s main goal was to protest against the unprecedented surge in living costs leading to a collapse in the working class and all segments of Moroccan society’s purchasing power.
They also urged the government to honor its commitment, an agreement from April 30, 2022, which promised wage increases, labor rights improvements, and effective social dialogue management.
The Moroccan Times.
