News

UNI ICTS, which represents over 3 million workers around the world, is celebrating today after Morocco’s UMT union (Union Marocaine du Travail) won a ballot for national recognition and bargaining rights in 11 companies covering around 15,000 workers in the country’s call centre industry.

It was the first time during national works council elections that the UMT had put forward candidates in the country’s fast growing call centre sector. Until now, there had been no union recognition at either local or national level, and this week’s victory for the UMT is therefore all the more significant.

UNI’s Head of ICTS, Alan Tate said, “This win is testament to the determination and tenacity of the UMT activists backed all the way by UNI Organisers. We congratulate all those involved who have helped to create this new dawn in the call centre industry in Morocco.”

UMT activists and leaders have been working in partnership with UNI Senior Organiser Nigel Flanagan and UNI North Africa Coordinator Mongi Abderrahim to plan and successfully execute a strategy to maximize the number of seats won.

Nigel said, “We worked with them, trained them, planned with them and funded some of their work but ultimately this is a victory for the UMT and the activists in the work places.”

Funding and support was also provided by the FES Foundation and the Solidarity Centre (AFL-CIO).

In the run-up to the elections some companies victimised activists, firing or disciplining them for supporting the UMT campaign. Other companies sought to delay and obstruct the balloting process. In some elections there were up to 7 separate lists of candidates put up against the UMT candidates. In others there were no other lists at all such was the strength of the campaign.

Morocco is dubbed the `Call Centre Capital of Europe` an ironic title because of the wave of Call Centre services moving to Morocco from many parts of the French speaking world including of France and Belgium. Over 70,000 workers are employed in the industry, many in purpose built centres with strict security arrangements and facilities.