Labor Inspection: A Body in Need of Reform
18 December 2006
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After 80 years, the regulations no longer match the country's reality
80 years that the Labor Inspection has existed in Morocco. Since its creation by the dahir of July 13, 1926, a part of its history is inextricably linked to that of the Kingdom and the evolution of its entrepreneurial world.
To mark a pause on this function, to outline its contours and to question its future, the Moroccan Association of Labor Inspectors (AMIT) organized, in collaboration with the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training and the Spanish Embassy in Morocco, a seminar on the theme "Labor Inspection: Challenges and Perspectives." A nice way to celebrate its 80th anniversary. "A body that is 80 years old is supposed to have solved these problems a long time ago. But since this has not been done, we have decided to take matters into our own hands," justifies Hassan Laajaj, president of AMIT.
On this occasion, several topics were discussed, including the "Labor Inspection Regime and Globalization," the "Ministry's Program in the field of Labor Inspection," and the "Role of Labor Inspection in the implementation of the Labor Code." Morocco has 469 labor inspectors. 356 work in the field while the rest do administrative work. "According to the labor code, the labor inspector is a reporting official who ensures the application of the law's provisions.
He has an advisory role with social partners. He is also responsible for reporting to the supervising ministry on the difficulties encountered in applying this code," explains Saïd Lamani, a consultant in labor law and professional relations and former labor inspector.
This role is particularly noticeable in his intervention during collective conflicts. "It should be known that for one strike launched, four or five are avoided thanks to the mediation of this official. The latter settles between 60 and 70% of disputes, while only 30% are transferred to the court," specifies S. Lamani.
During this seminar, the draft regulations for the institution, which will soon be presented to the government council, were also presented. Indeed, shortcomings are noted by labor inspectors concerning their situation and status.
According to the current regulations, the inspector must make 20 visits per month with expenses not exceeding 500 DH. The inspectorial body is calling for reforms in the regulations and the amounts of allowances. It also requests risk, clothing, and transportation bonuses.
To all these demands, the Ministry of Finance has opposed its "No" and has proposed as an alternative the increase in the cost of tours. "The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Public Service are not aware of the contribution of these officials on the economic and social level. This is why the status is slow to be reformed," deplores Saïd Lamani.
Two years ago, Driss Jettou met with this professional body and promised to improve its situation. Decongesting the current situation would, according to professionals, require the intervention of the Prime Minister.
Promoting its role
According to this professional body, the reform of the profession should involve changing two concepts that reduce the scope of its role: that of the firefighter and that of the policeman.
Instead, it would be good to promote the reporting aspect and emphasize the advisory aspect. "The labor inspector must move from the role of controller, in the classic sense of the term, to that of auditor and facilitator," insists Hassan Laajaj, president of AMIT.
In addition, the legislation would gain more by offering more power to this official in order to make him a judicial officer invested with the power of immediate intervention when it comes to safety measures.
The profession in figures
> 469 labor inspectors.
> 17% of professionals are women.
> Dahir governing the profession: promulgated on July 13, 1926.
67 years: age of the profession's status.
Le Matin Du Sahara
80 years that the Labor Inspection has existed in Morocco. Since its creation by the dahir of July 13, 1926, a part of its history is inextricably linked to that of the Kingdom and the evolution of its entrepreneurial world.
To mark a pause on this function, to outline its contours and to question its future, the Moroccan Association of Labor Inspectors (AMIT) organized, in collaboration with the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training and the Spanish Embassy in Morocco, a seminar on the theme "Labor Inspection: Challenges and Perspectives." A nice way to celebrate its 80th anniversary. "A body that is 80 years old is supposed to have solved these problems a long time ago. But since this has not been done, we have decided to take matters into our own hands," justifies Hassan Laajaj, president of AMIT.
On this occasion, several topics were discussed, including the "Labor Inspection Regime and Globalization," the "Ministry's Program in the field of Labor Inspection," and the "Role of Labor Inspection in the implementation of the Labor Code." Morocco has 469 labor inspectors. 356 work in the field while the rest do administrative work. "According to the labor code, the labor inspector is a reporting official who ensures the application of the law's provisions.
He has an advisory role with social partners. He is also responsible for reporting to the supervising ministry on the difficulties encountered in applying this code," explains Saïd Lamani, a consultant in labor law and professional relations and former labor inspector.
This role is particularly noticeable in his intervention during collective conflicts. "It should be known that for one strike launched, four or five are avoided thanks to the mediation of this official. The latter settles between 60 and 70% of disputes, while only 30% are transferred to the court," specifies S. Lamani.
During this seminar, the draft regulations for the institution, which will soon be presented to the government council, were also presented. Indeed, shortcomings are noted by labor inspectors concerning their situation and status.
According to the current regulations, the inspector must make 20 visits per month with expenses not exceeding 500 DH. The inspectorial body is calling for reforms in the regulations and the amounts of allowances. It also requests risk, clothing, and transportation bonuses.
To all these demands, the Ministry of Finance has opposed its "No" and has proposed as an alternative the increase in the cost of tours. "The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Public Service are not aware of the contribution of these officials on the economic and social level. This is why the status is slow to be reformed," deplores Saïd Lamani.
Two years ago, Driss Jettou met with this professional body and promised to improve its situation. Decongesting the current situation would, according to professionals, require the intervention of the Prime Minister.
Promoting its role
According to this professional body, the reform of the profession should involve changing two concepts that reduce the scope of its role: that of the firefighter and that of the policeman.
Instead, it would be good to promote the reporting aspect and emphasize the advisory aspect. "The labor inspector must move from the role of controller, in the classic sense of the term, to that of auditor and facilitator," insists Hassan Laajaj, president of AMIT.
In addition, the legislation would gain more by offering more power to this official in order to make him a judicial officer invested with the power of immediate intervention when it comes to safety measures.
The profession in figures
> 469 labor inspectors.
> 17% of professionals are women.
> Dahir governing the profession: promulgated on July 13, 1926.
67 years: age of the profession's status.
Le Matin Du Sahara
