10,000 Moroccan social workers unpaid for six months

The Moroccan Observatory of Inclusive Education has sounded the alarm over the dire financial situation facing 10,000 social workers, who have gone unpaid for six months straight. In a statement issued on Monday, the organization pointed to «a delay by the State in disbursing annual grants to associations working in the field of disability». These funds, they noted, «are intended to finance the educational and social support services outlined in the government program».

According to the observatory, these grants are «crucial for providing educational, social, and professional support to 30,000 children with disabilities». Teaming up with the Coalition of Social Cohesion Associations, which unites 400 organizations involved in the social program, the observatory voiced «the mounting concern of associations, professionals, and families over these delays». They also reminded that they have «previously appealed to the Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration, and Family Affairs».

Speaking to Yabiladi, Mohamed Elhouate, president of the observatory, emphasized that «this is not the first time this issue has arisen». He explained, «Our supervising ministry is powerless as long as it has not received the necessary funds from the Ministry of Finance». He further asserted that «it is the Finance Ministry, and thus the government, that are accountable for this situation, which has been bafflingly unresolved for the past three years».

In response to this ongoing issue, the Moroccan Observatory of Inclusive Education has urged «the government and all relevant national bodies and institutions to step in and resolve this delay» before the end of Ramadan. Failing a positive outcome, the observatory indicated it is considering «the option of pursuing legal action».