News

The UNI affiliate UMT ( Union Marocaine du Travail) has today officially started its campaign for recognition in the rapidly expanding Contact Centre sector in Morocco. On June 3rd over 70,000 workers will be balloted, both nationally and seperately, on whether or not they wish to have UMT representing them in social dialogue with the national government and at work place level in their works councils. It is a massive undertaking but the young activists of UMT are determined to give it their very best. Leaflets, t shirts and caps are in evidence all over Morocco as the workers set out to win the elections.

Morocco has been nicknamed the `Call Centre Capital of Europe`as French and Belgian companies have outsourced their businesses from Europe to Morocvco. Although the government have included nearly 70,000 workers in this ballot, estimates now claim there are already over 100,000 workers in the sectror, many of them in the so called informal sector. Many of the comapnies have been established in specially constructed tax free zones, with purpose built offices and facilities. One such centre - Casanearshore outside Casablanca, employs approximately 10,000 workers on one site.

UMT has been training activists on organising networks, the laws relating to elections and on how to campaign. The campaign, in this new sectior for the union, is taking place alongside elections in all industrial sectors for works councils and social dialogue and so the union is at it speak organising time. Nevertheless this sector is recognised as an important one, with a young, mostly female, workforce and  an expanding area of business. Jobs in the sector are in demand but there are still concerns about the length of working shifts and respect in the workplace.

UMT has been supported by both UNI and the Solidarity Centre (AFL -CIO) in training, planning and resources.

The elections take place on June 3rd with the results due sometime between then and the 10th.