Introducing amendments to Articles 179 and 181 of the Labor Law will help create more sustainable job opportunities to women in Morocco. Due to these provisions, women are prohibited from working in the mining and phosphate sectors, as well as other extractive industries. The Moroccan law complies with the agreements of the International Labor Organization (ILO), such as Convention 45 of 1935, which prohibits the employment of women in hazardous sectors. In 1955, however, the ILO changed its rules, calling on governments to amend Convention 45 and ratify Convention 176 “Safety and Health in Mines”, which calls for protecting the safety and health of all mine workers, irrespective of gender. Therefore, it is now time for Morocco to comply with the ILO’s new rules by making its laws compatible with the related international instruments.
In line with recent changes in the rules, several countries began to open up more fields of work to women. Studies show a positive impact at the levels of labor market and economic growth in these countries. As it plans to prepare its new development model, improve labor productivity, develop its economic activities, and look for new ways to boost growth, Morocco must amend its labor legislation, mainly Articles 179 and 181, to open up more sectors to women. This will bring several positive outcomes as explained in this paper.
Rachid Aourraz | Researcher in Political Economy and a founder member of Arab Center for Research
Souad Adnane | Private Sector and Gender Specialist and a founder member of Arab Center for Research