Ministry targets wage deductions and irregular appointments in communes

Crackdown on Unauthorized Strikes and Irregular Appointments in Moroccan Municipalities

Interior Minister Orders Strict Wage Deductions, Targets Administrative Irregularities

Morocco's Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit has issued a directive to regional governors demanding strict enforcement of wage deductions for municipal employees participating in unauthorized strikes. The circular, stemming from assessments by the Directorate General for Local Authorities, cites lax enforcement by some municipal leaders and instructs officials to compile deduction lists and report promptly.

Administrative Irregularities Raise Concerns

This move comes amidst rising absenteeism and reports of irregular appointments within sensitive municipal departments. Sources reveal that the Casablanca-Settat and Rabat-Salé-Kénitra regions have seen inexperienced or low-ranking staff promoted without proper legal procedures, allegedly based on loyalty rather than merit.

These practices, according to sources, have disrupted administrative functions, delayed public services, and heightened tensions among municipal staff. Central authorities suspect these appointments violate Decree 2.10.452, which restricts the duties of lower-grade employees to clerical and technical support functions.