CGEM Unveils 18 Measures to Boost Employment
30 January 2012
Read by 1513 persons
Under the theme "State of Emergency to Defeat Unemployment Together", the CGEM (General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises) has unveiled 18 measures aimed at creating jobs.
Following pressure from the political situation, the rise in unemployed graduates resorting to self-immolation, and after proposing 20 measures in 2011, the CGEM has presented these new 18 measures intended to stimulate job creation. Will this help reduce the unemployment rate to 8% by 2016, as promised by the Benkirane government? The government needs to demonstrate strong and urgent action to improve the alarming social situation.
The CGEM unveiled the 18 measures to boost employment at a press conference on January 27, chaired by Jamal Belahrach, president of the Employment and Social Relations Commission (CERS) at the CGEM.
Calling for the restoration of trust among economic and social actors, these measures include new initiatives. The most significant is the creation of a "First Experience Contract" (CPE), a temporary contract with a 6-month trial period, lasting a maximum of 24 months, and offering a salary equal to or greater than the minimum wage (SMIG). This measure would target those with baccalaureate (high school) and bac+2 (two years of higher education) degrees and, according to the employers' federation, should be accompanied by a 15,000 Dh annual reduction in corporate income tax (IS) per young graduate. Regarding social contributions, the CGEM suggests reducing the CNSS (National Social Security Fund) rate from 20% to 15% to broaden the base and allow companies to create jobs.
Given the mismatch between companies' skills needs and the training provided by the education system, other CGEM measures aim to align education and careers. They propose making internships in companies mandatory during secondary and university studies. These internships should represent at least 25% of the total study time.
In other words, the CGEM hopes to increase employability through work-study programs and short courses in technical, management, and commercial fields.
If adopted, the CGEM's proposals could certainly increase the rate of job creation. However, the challenge remains significant. To achieve this goal, Jamal Belahrach called for a "social summit" to launch this initiative.
"A social summit seems to be a good way to start this momentum. The government would benefit from taking this initiative by relying on social partners and civil society to reach a common roadmap, fully assumed, ensuring that everyone feels responsible for the future of the country, avoiding any blame game..." he explained.
It is clear today that several interconnected factors contribute to the unemployment problem, including education, the nature of Moroccan growth, and the sectors supporting it.
Noura Mani.
Aufaitmaroc.com
Published January 29, 2012.
Posted online January 30, 2012.
Following pressure from the political situation, the rise in unemployed graduates resorting to self-immolation, and after proposing 20 measures in 2011, the CGEM has presented these new 18 measures intended to stimulate job creation. Will this help reduce the unemployment rate to 8% by 2016, as promised by the Benkirane government? The government needs to demonstrate strong and urgent action to improve the alarming social situation.
The CGEM unveiled the 18 measures to boost employment at a press conference on January 27, chaired by Jamal Belahrach, president of the Employment and Social Relations Commission (CERS) at the CGEM.
Calling for the restoration of trust among economic and social actors, these measures include new initiatives. The most significant is the creation of a "First Experience Contract" (CPE), a temporary contract with a 6-month trial period, lasting a maximum of 24 months, and offering a salary equal to or greater than the minimum wage (SMIG). This measure would target those with baccalaureate (high school) and bac+2 (two years of higher education) degrees and, according to the employers' federation, should be accompanied by a 15,000 Dh annual reduction in corporate income tax (IS) per young graduate. Regarding social contributions, the CGEM suggests reducing the CNSS (National Social Security Fund) rate from 20% to 15% to broaden the base and allow companies to create jobs.
Given the mismatch between companies' skills needs and the training provided by the education system, other CGEM measures aim to align education and careers. They propose making internships in companies mandatory during secondary and university studies. These internships should represent at least 25% of the total study time.
In other words, the CGEM hopes to increase employability through work-study programs and short courses in technical, management, and commercial fields.
If adopted, the CGEM's proposals could certainly increase the rate of job creation. However, the challenge remains significant. To achieve this goal, Jamal Belahrach called for a "social summit" to launch this initiative.
"A social summit seems to be a good way to start this momentum. The government would benefit from taking this initiative by relying on social partners and civil society to reach a common roadmap, fully assumed, ensuring that everyone feels responsible for the future of the country, avoiding any blame game..." he explained.
It is clear today that several interconnected factors contribute to the unemployment problem, including education, the nature of Moroccan growth, and the sectors supporting it.
Noura Mani.
Aufaitmaroc.com
Published January 29, 2012.
Posted online January 30, 2012.
