While Maroc has achieved significant milestones over the last two decades, the issue of child labor remains a pressing concern for the kingdom. Although the number of minors involved in economic activities has plummeted by more than 80% since 1999, the practice persists, particularly within informal sectors and hazardous environments. To address this, the Conseil économique, social et environnemental (CESE) presented a comprehensive advisory opinion this Tuesday, July 1st, in Rabat, outlining strategic recommendations to definitively end this phenomenon.
Significant progress but persistent challenges
During the presentation of the report titled “For an effective public policy to eradicate child labor in Maroc,” CESE President Abdelkader Amara highlighted the gap between progress and public perception. A citizen consultation revealed that 78% of the 1,540 respondents believe that child labor continues to be widespread across the country. This feedback prompted the institution to evaluate current public policies and propose more robust intervention mechanisms.
Abdelkader Amara detailed the legislative strides already made by the Kingdom, including the strict prohibition of work for children under 15 and the gradual elimination of dangerous tasks for minors aged 16 to 18. Official statistics clearly show the impact of these measures: the number of working children aged 7 to 17 has dropped from 517,000 in 1999 to approximately 101,000 in 2024.
A call for total eradication
“In 1999, over half a million children were working. By 2024, that number is around 100,000. This represents a massive effort that deserves recognition,” stated the CESE President. However, the institution maintains that while the progress is undeniable, it is not yet sufficient to reach the ultimate goal of total eradication.
The CESE identifies several structural factors fueling the problem, such as the informal economy, systemic poverty, and the socio-economic vulnerability of many households. Highlighting the fundamental rights of the youth, Abdelkader Amara emphasized that a child’s natural environment, beyond the family unit, must be the school system and designated spaces for socialization and education.
The impact of labor on youth development
The CESE President further noted that labor severely compromises the physical, psychological, and educational growth of minors. He argued that child labor must be eliminated because it robs children of a balanced upbringing and the education they deserve, while also worsening social inequalities and hindering the overall development of Moroccan society.
Citizen observations shared during the consultation shed light on where these activities occur. About 27% of respondents reported seeing children working in public spaces, specifically in street vending, heavy lifting, or car washing. More alarmingly, 22% pointed to grave issues such as organized begging, sexual exploitation, or involvement in drug trafficking.
Strategic recommendations for the future
The CESE report reveals a startling statistic: nearly six out of ten working children are engaged in hazardous activities. This underscores the vital need to strengthen prevention, monitoring, and protection systems. Key recommendations from the council include a thorough revision of the Labor Code and an update to the 2010 decree regarding prohibited dangerous work for minors.
Furthermore, the institution suggests raising the minimum legal working age to 16. This change would align the labor entry age with the end of mandatory schooling, ensuring better synergy between educational and social policies.
Finally, Abdelkader Amara mentioned the recent signing of a framework agreement between the CESE and the Observatoire national des droits de l’enfant (ONDE), chaired by Princess Lalla Meryem. This partnership is designed to improve coordination between the two bodies, intensifying efforts to prevent and combat child labor—a phenomenon that the CESE President believes is inconsistent with the modern progress Maroc has achieved in various other sectors.