Recently, a surprising turn of events unfolded in Marrakech as the anticipated relocation of the bus station from its historic site at Bab Doukkala to a new facility in Al-Azouzia took an unexpected twist. Approximately 46 employees of the current management company were taken aback when they discovered that they were being terminated without prior notice. According to their testimonies, these workers did not receive any formal notification within the legal timeframe, and the process occurred without the presence of local authorities, nor was there any documentation to establish a potential agreement or amicable consultation. Moreover, the operating company does not appear to be in a financially precarious situation, as suggested by available information.
In the midst of this confusion, the affected employees have only received their wages for the days worked in July, alongside their annual leave entitlements that remain unused. Omar Arbib, the head of the Marrakech-Ménara branch of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights, which is overseeing this case, has reported these developments. In the absence of a union representative, the employees are compelled to navigate various administrative procedures on their own with the local authorities and the General Directorate of Employment. Arbib stated, 'They hope to find a positive and mutually agreed solution; otherwise, they will have to pursue legal avenues, which entails lengthy procedures.'
Following his communication with the management of the Bab Doukkala bus station, Arbib noted that the management asserts it is not facing any financial difficulties, rather it is generating significant revenues. He further explained, 'The relocation of the station to the new site in Al-Azouzia will result in the management being transferred to another company established by the city council, raising questions about the fate of the current employees, particularly the 46 who were dismissed without any prior administrative procedures.'
In light of this situation, the human rights activist condemned what he termed a 'blatant violation of economic and social rights' and the 'disregard for the legal and social guarantees stipulated in such cases.' He lamented, 'Some of the dismissed employees have worked at the bus station for nearly thirty years, and many are on the brink of retirement. Overnight, they find themselves unemployed, without adherence to the legal procedures pertaining to the termination of their contracts. When we talk about 46 individuals, we speak of 46 families reliant on the income that has now been stripped away from them,' questioning the reasons behind the company's decision to take such action.
The local association's president emphasized that the employer was obligated to specify 'severance pay, notice period compensation, and compensation for unfair dismissal, while ensuring the rights of the affected individuals to continue working at the new bus station,' especially since 'the project to relocate the bus station has been ongoing for years and is now nearing completion.'
In reminding the public of the legal framework governing these situations, the association stressed that there is a 'blatant violation of the labor code, as well as Morocco's international obligations, including International Labour Organization conventions concerning the protection of workers, prohibition of arbitrary dismissals, and respect for social dialogue, in addition to the provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.'
In a statement received by our editorial team, the Marrakech-Ménara branch of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights condemned the company's actions and called for the reinstatement of the 46 workers 'to their positions at the new bus station, or, if that is not feasible, to grant them their full rights.' The organization also urged the labor inspection and local authorities to 'enforce legal provisions and initiate an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this mass dismissal.'
On another note, the human rights organization deemed it essential for the public prosecution and relevant monitoring bodies to investigate any suspicion of embezzlement of public funds or mismanagement related to the new bus station project, asserting that 'any developmental project that relies on displacing workers and depriving them of their rights lacks legal and social legitimacy.'
Additionally, the association appealed to trade unions to support the affected workers, who are now racing against time to reclaim their rights. The new bus station in Marrakech is expected to commence operations on July 24, effectively replacing the Bab Doukkala station.
As reported by ar.yabiladi.com.
