The Democratic Labor Organization stated that Tangier’s factory incident is a tragic moment that shall be condemned in the strongest terms, noting that those held responsible shall bear the consequences for their role in the occurrence of this disaster, which claimed the lives of 24 people.
The statement by the Democratic Labor Organization indicated that the political, moral and administrative responsibility following this tragedy falls unequivocally upon the government, along with its administrative bodies, for the latter shall not claim ignorance of existing work environments just as such, provided that they lack the proper conditions, and blatantly violate the law; stressing that the Ministry of Labor and Occupational Integration in particular, and the government in general, shall be held accountable for such work code breach. The statement also clarified that several workers are being subject to hideous exploitation in various factories, especially those operating behind closed garages or underground, where workers have to endure severe circumstances, in the absence of the slightest safety and health conditions, while paid minimum wages.
In addition, the organization called upon the prevention of all exploitation types, and urged factories’ administrative board to abide by the preventive and precautionary measures set by the authorities, to preserve the health and safety of employees, noting that the laws for occupational health and safety, as well as workers’ right to a just and secure work environment, are still incomplete and faltering, despite Morocco’s engagement in several labor conventions, due to the lack of political will to eliminate all forms of exploitation.
Within the same context, the statement emphasized that the government must, politically, morally and legally, conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances and causes of this painful humanitarian incident, and take the necessary measures so that such a tragedy does not recur and claim more lives, noting that workers of various sectors shall be granted a safe work environment, and that the legislative texts related to labor health and safety shall be reviewed, for a new labor memorandum is strictly required at this stage; one that improves inspectors’ working conditions, rehabilitates labor’s medical staff, and coordinates with the inspectors of the National Social Security Fund.
It is noteworthy that the report by the Democratic Labor Organization has urged the suspension of work next Friday, between eleven and twelve A.M. (before Friday prayers), to grieve the dead and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured, and to denounce the government’s continuing contempt for the lives of workers, as well as the health and safety breaches.