25,000 Young People Will Benefit from OFPPT Training and a 1,000 DH Monthly Stipend
13 February 2014
Read by 1729 persons
While various majority parliamentary groups adopted a more conciliatory tone with the government, the Popular Movement parliamentary group was slightly more critical than usual.
Opposition parliamentary groups in the second chamber continue to protest. Councilors from the PAM (Authenticity and Modernity Party), Istiqlal, USFP (Union of Socialist Popular Forces), the Constitutional Union, and the federal group all displayed signs at the beginning of the monthly general policy questioning session, criticizing the cancellation of the broadcast of the weekly session updates. Although this government leader’s decision dates back several weeks, political parties continue to criticize it.
Opposition criticism was also very harsh on the two themes of the monthly session: "government policy regarding improving the business climate" and "government policy in the field of employment."
The president of the PAM group in the House of Councilors, Hakim Benchamach, expressed surprise at the government’s offensive against the HCP (High Commission for Planning). "I will voluntarily avoid referring to the HCP reports because the government shows hypersensitivity towards this institution’s data.
The latter has even been the target of a tactless governmental offensive," he said, adding that many reports from international organizations show Morocco’s decline in several areas related to the business climate and the employment market.
For their part, members of the Istiqlal parliamentary group emphasized the gap between the government leader’s speech and the reality of the national economy and the situation of many Moroccan businesses. "We would have liked your speech to conform to reality. Unfortunately, you only ever give us words," said Abdessalam Lebar, an Istiqlal parliamentarian, questioning the Executive’s attitude, which tends to reject all proposals from the Istiqlal party.
While the various parliamentary groups of the majority adopted a more conciliatory tone with the government, the parliamentary group of the Popular Movement was a little more critical than usual. Speaking, Abdelilah Benkirane once again turned his heavy artillery against his former ally and Secretary General of the Istiqlal party, Hamid Chabat. In this sense, the Head of Government stated that he has a lot of respect for Istiqlal but his criticisms concern only one person in that party, namely Chabat.
Furthermore, Benkirane defended his cabinet’s record regarding the business climate, adding that he prioritized the control of macroeconomic indicators during the first years of his mandate. He also welcomed Morocco’s image with international financial institutions and foreign economic partners.
"I have sometimes made unpopular decisions, but citizens are coming to understand that these decisions are in the country’s interest. Our goal is not to win elections. If the voters renew their confidence in me, I am ready to continue the work begun. If, on the other hand, they decide otherwise, I will withdraw," he again launched to the Councilors. Regarding employment, Benkirane stated that this issue remains the number one social problem for the government. In addition, the Head of the Executive announced the launch of a new ten-month program for 25,000 young Moroccans in vocational training.
This program, intended for young people with university degrees, will allow them to receive a stipend of 1,000 dirhams. The OFPPT (Office of Vocational Training and Labor Promotion) will be responsible for managing the program in question, providing training in languages and communication, as well as accounting and other subjects likely to strengthen the employability of young people.
Aujourdhui.ma
Published February 13, 2014.
Posted online February 13, 2014.
Opposition parliamentary groups in the second chamber continue to protest. Councilors from the PAM (Authenticity and Modernity Party), Istiqlal, USFP (Union of Socialist Popular Forces), the Constitutional Union, and the federal group all displayed signs at the beginning of the monthly general policy questioning session, criticizing the cancellation of the broadcast of the weekly session updates. Although this government leader’s decision dates back several weeks, political parties continue to criticize it.
Opposition criticism was also very harsh on the two themes of the monthly session: "government policy regarding improving the business climate" and "government policy in the field of employment."
The president of the PAM group in the House of Councilors, Hakim Benchamach, expressed surprise at the government’s offensive against the HCP (High Commission for Planning). "I will voluntarily avoid referring to the HCP reports because the government shows hypersensitivity towards this institution’s data.
The latter has even been the target of a tactless governmental offensive," he said, adding that many reports from international organizations show Morocco’s decline in several areas related to the business climate and the employment market.
For their part, members of the Istiqlal parliamentary group emphasized the gap between the government leader’s speech and the reality of the national economy and the situation of many Moroccan businesses. "We would have liked your speech to conform to reality. Unfortunately, you only ever give us words," said Abdessalam Lebar, an Istiqlal parliamentarian, questioning the Executive’s attitude, which tends to reject all proposals from the Istiqlal party.
While the various parliamentary groups of the majority adopted a more conciliatory tone with the government, the parliamentary group of the Popular Movement was a little more critical than usual. Speaking, Abdelilah Benkirane once again turned his heavy artillery against his former ally and Secretary General of the Istiqlal party, Hamid Chabat. In this sense, the Head of Government stated that he has a lot of respect for Istiqlal but his criticisms concern only one person in that party, namely Chabat.
Furthermore, Benkirane defended his cabinet’s record regarding the business climate, adding that he prioritized the control of macroeconomic indicators during the first years of his mandate. He also welcomed Morocco’s image with international financial institutions and foreign economic partners.
"I have sometimes made unpopular decisions, but citizens are coming to understand that these decisions are in the country’s interest. Our goal is not to win elections. If the voters renew their confidence in me, I am ready to continue the work begun. If, on the other hand, they decide otherwise, I will withdraw," he again launched to the Councilors. Regarding employment, Benkirane stated that this issue remains the number one social problem for the government. In addition, the Head of the Executive announced the launch of a new ten-month program for 25,000 young Moroccans in vocational training.
This program, intended for young people with university degrees, will allow them to receive a stipend of 1,000 dirhams. The OFPPT (Office of Vocational Training and Labor Promotion) will be responsible for managing the program in question, providing training in languages and communication, as well as accounting and other subjects likely to strengthen the employability of young people.
Aujourdhui.ma
Published February 13, 2014.
Posted online February 13, 2014.
