Morocco moves toward total child labor eradication with new strategic recommendations
Significant progress has been made in Morocco over the past two decades, yet the issue of child labor continues to be a pressing concern. Although the number of minors engaged in economic activities has dropped by more than 80% since 1999, the phenomenon persists, particularly within informal sectors and hazardous roles. To address this, the Economic, Social, and Environmental Council (CESE) presented a comprehensive set of recommendations in Rabat aimed at the definitive elimination of the practice.
Evaluating the current landscape of child labor
During the presentation of the report titled “For an effective public policy to eradicate child labor in Morocco,” CESE President Abdelkader Amara noted that 78% of the 1,540 citizens surveyed believe that child labor remains a frequent occurrence in the country. This feedback prompted the institution to evaluate existing public policies and propose more effective levers for action.
Abdelkader Amara highlighted the Kingdom’s legislative advancements, which include a ban on employment for children under 15 and the gradual removal of minors aged 16 to 18 from dangerous work environments. Official statistics reflect the impact of these initiatives: the number of children aged 7 to 17 in the workforce fell from 517,000 in 1999 to approximately 101,000 in 2024.
“In 1999, more than half a million children were working. By 2024, that number is around 100,000. This represents a substantial effort that deserves recognition,” the CESE President stated. However, the institution’s report clarifies that while progress is undeniable, it is not yet sufficient to achieve the goal of total eradication.
Structural challenges and social impact
The CESE identifies several structural factors fueling this issue, such as the informal economy, poverty, and the socio-economic vulnerability of many families. Abdelkader Amara insisted that a child’s natural place, after their family, is in school and within spaces dedicated to education and socialization.
The Council also emphasized that labor compromises a child’s physical, psychological, and educational growth. It was argued that child labor must be eliminated because it robs children of a balanced development and the education they deserve, while also deepening social inequalities and hindering the overall progress of society.
Public perception data indicates that 27% of respondents observe child labor primarily in public spaces, through street vending, heavy lifting, or car washing. Furthermore, 22% of those surveyed mentioned more alarming issues, including organized begging, sexual exploitation, or involvement in illicit trafficking.
Proposing a new framework for protection
The CESE noted that nearly six out of ten working children are involved in hazardous activities, highlighting the urgent need to bolster prevention, monitoring, and protection systems. Among the primary recommendations is a revision of the Labor Code and an update to the 2010 decree regarding prohibited dangerous work for minors.
The institution also suggests raising the minimum legal working age to 16. This change would align the start of a working life with the end of compulsory education, creating better harmony between social and educational policies.
To conclude, Abdelkader Amara referenced a recently signed framework agreement between the CESE and the National Observatory for Children’s Rights (ONDE). This partnership is designed to improve coordination between the two bodies to intensify efforts against child labor—a phenomenon that the CESE President believes is inconsistent with the significant progress Morocco has achieved in various other sectors.
