The recent surge in requests for "leave of absence" from various territorial communities across Morocco has prompted an urgent response from the Ministry of Interior. Reports from the Human Resources Department of the General Directorate of Local Authorities reveal that local authorities in several regions, including Casablanca-Settat, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, Marrakech-Safi, and Fes-Meknes, are investigating the significant increase in these requests. This situation has resulted in a growing shortage of human resources within critical services, especially in municipalities facing increased pressure due to major developmental projects.
Informed sources have indicated that governors and regional officials have begun administrative inquiries to ascertain the underlying reasons for the notable rise in the number of employees granted leave of absence. These investigations aim to ensure adherence to the legal procedures governing this status and evaluate its impact on the normal functioning of municipal services. The focus is particularly on municipalities that have experienced vacancies in essential positions, following the leave of absence granted to employees in sensitive technical and administrative roles, particularly within tax, urban planning, health preservation, and technical departments. This situation has led to difficulties in maintaining service continuity for citizens and delays in processing administrative files, which in turn affects the pace of scheduled projects.
Reports highlight a worrying trend where an increasing number of employees, some of whom hold foreign residencies and citizenships, have taken temporary leave to relocate abroad during their absence. This has created a challenging environment for many municipalities, which now face difficulties in filling these gaps due to limited hiring capabilities and the challenge of replacing experienced staff in a short timeframe. Furthermore, the investigations are not limited to the sheer number of leave requests; they also extend to observing the practical effects of these absences on the performance of local administrations. Instances of repeated employee absenteeism before and after the initiation of their leave status have been recorded, negatively impacting workflow regularity within certain departments and leading to a backlog of files and delays in delivering numerous administrative services to citizens and investors.
Additionally, central administrative authorities have requested that regional authorities prepare detailed reports on the state of human resources within the affected municipalities. This includes compiling a list of positions that have become vacant due to leave of absence and assessing the ability of these municipalities to maintain public service continuity amid rising demand for services, particularly in cities experiencing rapid urban and investment dynamics. The ongoing inquiries also scrutinize compliance with the legal conditions governing the leave of absence and identify any potential discrepancies in managing requests or granting permissions. The impact of this situation on administrative balances within municipalities is especially critical when it involves employees holding positions that are difficult to replace or managing sensitive technical or financial files.
The central administration continues to directly monitor these field investigations as part of a comprehensive approach aimed at tightening oversight on human resource management within local communities. This initiative seeks to regulate the use of leave of absence in accordance with legal provisions while ensuring the continuity of public services and the quality of services provided to citizens. This proactive measure, as reported by sources from Hespress, aligns with the government's commitment to enhance the readiness of local authorities in light of major projects underway in the kingdom. The importance of maintaining operational continuity and having qualified administrative and technical personnel is particularly crucial for the successful execution of programs and projects in preparation for the upcoming 2030 World Cup.
As reported by hespress.com.
