Mass Dismissals Precede Major Relocation in Marrakech
In an unexpected turn of events, approximately 40 employees of the Marrakech bus station were informed just days before the relocation of their historic Bab Doukkala site to the new El Azzouzia terminal that they had been dismissed under circumstances they deem unfair. These workers, who have dedicated years of service to the station, reported that their terminations occurred without the legally mandated notice period, and without the involvement of local authorities or any formal documentation of agreements or prior consultations. Surprisingly, despite the dismissals, the company managing the bus station appears to be in a stable financial situation, further complicating the employees' predicament.
According to Omar Arbib, the president of the Marrakech-Menara branch of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH), which is closely monitoring the situation, the dismissed workers were only compensated for the days worked in July and given payment for their unused annual leave. This abrupt dismissal has left the employees in a lurch, as they must now navigate all necessary administrative procedures independently, without union representation, to seek redress from the city prefecture and the General Directorate of Employment.
Human Rights Concerns and Legal Violations
Arbib expressed concerns regarding the lack of support for the dismissed workers, who are now left with limited options. They are seeking a negotiated settlement; however, if that fails, they may have no alternative but to initiate a lengthy legal battle. The AMDH has criticized the company's actions as a blatant violation of economic and social rights, highlighting the disregard for legal protections that should govern employment termination. Many of the affected workers have been part of the bus station's workforce for nearly three decades, with several nearing retirement age. The sudden loss of their employment not only impacts these individuals but also their families, who rely on their income.
The AMDH emphasized that the employer should have provided severance pay, notice, and compensation for unfair dismissal, while also ensuring that the workers had the right to continue their employment at the new bus station, given that the relocation project has been in progress for years and is nearing completion. Furthermore, the association pointed out that these dismissals violate the Moroccan Labour Code and international commitments, including conventions from the International Labour Organization (ILO) designed to protect workers' rights.
In a statement released to Yabiladi, the AMDH condemned the company's actions and called for the reinstatement of the 46 employees at the new bus station or, at the very least, a full restoration of their rights. The organization has urged both the Labour Inspectorate and local authorities to enforce legal provisions and investigate the circumstances surrounding the mass dismissals. Additionally, they have called upon the public prosecutor's office and relevant oversight bodies to look into potential mismanagement or misappropriation of public funds related to the new bus station project, arguing that any initiative that displaces workers and infringes upon their rights lacks legal and social legitimacy.
As Marrakech prepares for the launch of its new bus station, anticipated to commence operations on July 24, the AMDH has also appealed to trade unions to lend their support to the dismissed workers, who are now racing against the clock to assert their rights in the face of this troubling situation.
As reported by en.yabiladi.com.
