Protests Erupt Over Health Worker Transfers in Casablanca-Settat
The healthcare sector in Casablanca-Settat is currently facing heightened tensions as health workers, organized by the Independent Organization of Nurses and Health Technicians, conducted a sit-in protest on August 1, 2026. This demonstration took place in front of the Regional Health Directorate, where the protesters voiced their opposition to what they describe as unilateral transfer decisions that disregard social dialogue.
According to union representatives, the contentious transfers involve numerous nurses and healthcare technicians from the region and were made without prior consultation with the most representative union organizations. The demonstrators have labeled these actions as "arbitrary and collective transfers," arguing that such decisions violate the principles of social dialogue and participatory governance.
"We strongly condemn these practices and demand the outright cancellation of these decisions," stated Ayyoub Zine, a member of the regional union office. He emphasized that this mobilization marks the beginning of their protest, warning that if the administration fails to respond favorably, the union reserves the right to escalate their actions further.
The protesters believe that these decisions come at a particularly sensitive time, coinciding with the impending implementation of health system reforms. While they express support for the reforms, they criticize the method employed by the regional administration. "We are in favor of reform, but it cannot succeed without consultation and involvement from union representatives," argued union officials, lamenting the lack of dialogue surrounding the changes being enacted.
The unilateral nature of these transfer decisions has fostered an atmosphere of concern among healthcare professionals in the region. Those affected fear that this situation could undermine staff engagement in the reform efforts. Youssef Zitouni, another member of the regional office of the Independent Organization of Nurses and Health Technicians, reiterated that the union is not opposed to the reform itself but to the way decisions have been made. He called on the regional administration to open a genuine dialogue with the professional representatives to review the project, gather their feedback, and adopt a participatory approach.
Finally, union leaders hold the Regional Health Directorate accountable for any potential deterioration in the social climate if no solution is reached. They demand prompt negotiations with union representatives to address what they describe as a "concerning situation" within the region.
As reported by maroc-hebdo.com.
