Renewed efforts to end child labor in Morocco
Despite the substantial progress achieved by Morocco over the last two decades, the involvement of minors in the workforce remains a pressing issue. While the number of young people in economic activities has plummeted by more than 80% since 1999, the phenomenon continues to exist, particularly in the informal sector and within high-risk environments. In Rabat, the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) has presented a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at permanently abolishing this practice.
During the unveiling of the report titled “For an effective public policy to eradicate child labor in Morocco,” CESE President Abdelkader Amara highlighted that 78% of the 1,540 citizens surveyed believe the practice is still widespread throughout the country. This public perception has led the institution to scrutinize current state policies and propose more robust intervention methods.
Tracking progress and remaining challenges
In his address, Abdelkader Amara detailed the Kingdom’s advancements, including the strict prohibition of labor for children under 15 and the gradual elimination of hazardous roles for those between 16 and 18 years old. Statistical evidence supports these improvements: the population of working children aged 7 to 17 has dropped from 517,000 in 1999 to roughly 101,000 in 2024.
“In 1999, over half a million children were working. By 2024, that number is near 100,000. This is a significant achievement that deserves recognition,” the CESE President remarked. However, the Council’s opinion makes it clear that while these steps are undeniable, they are not yet sufficient to reach the ultimate goal of total eradication.
The CESE points to deep-seated issues such as the informal economy and the financial instability of many households as the main drivers of this trend. Amara emphasized that a child’s natural environment should be in the classroom and social education spaces rather than the workplace. He further argued that labor deprives children of healthy physical and psychological growth, deepens social divides, and hinders national progress.
The reality of child exploitation
The findings from the public consultation also shed light on how citizens witness this issue. Approximately 27% of those surveyed see children working in public areas as street vendors, car washers, or carrying heavy loads. More alarmingly, 22% reported witnessing severe forms of exploitation, including organized begging, sexual abuse of minors, or involvement in the narcotics trade.
Furthermore, the CESE report indicates that nearly six out of ten working children are involved in dangerous activities, which signals an urgent need for better prevention, stricter monitoring, and enhanced protection protocols.
Proposed legislative reforms
To combat these issues, the Council advocates for a significant update to the Labor Code and the 2010 decree regarding prohibited hazardous work for minors. A key recommendation is to increase the minimum legal working age to 16. This change would align the labor market entry age with the end of compulsory schooling, creating a more unified approach between educational and social policies.
Abdelkader Amara also noted the recent establishment of a framework agreement between the CESE and the National Observatory for Children’s Rights (ONDE), which is chaired by Princess Lalla Meryem. This partnership is designed to improve coordination between the two bodies to intensify preventive measures and protective actions against child labor—a phenomenon that the CESE President believes is inconsistent with the modern developmental goals of Morocco.
