Rabat - The labor unions celebrated Labor Day on Wednesday in Rabat by organizing several marches and meetings during which they expressed their social demands and their commitment to various reform projects aimed at strengthening social justice and the process of economic and social development. In this context, the unions called for the improvement of the socio-economic conditions of the working class, chanting slogans and displaying banners that underscore their determination to continue defending their achievements and realizing legitimate demands regarding the improvement of workers' income in both the public and private sectors, as well as preserving citizens' purchasing power. Participants in these events, which come on the heels of the signing of an agreement between the government and the labor unions providing for a general increase in the incomes of public sector employees, waved banners calling for respect for the right to strike and union rights, improvement of working conditions, and access t o education and healthcare. Youssef Makouri, the regional secretary of the Moroccan Labor Union (UMT) for Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, stated that "celebrating May 1st is an opportunity to express our demands and expectations," emphasizing UMT's ongoing commitment to defending the interests of the working class and national causes, foremost among them being the territorial integrity of Morocco. In a speech on behalf of the UMT's general secretary, Makouri noted that pension reform is a thorny issue requiring a societal approach beyond the technical aspect, emphasizing the need to preserve the achievements of civil servants and all employees. Youssef Alakouch, a member of the executive bureau of the General Union of Moroccan Workers (UGTM), emphasized during a meeting held under the theme "Constant commitment to preserving rights and achievements" that the UGTM welcomes the agreement reached with the government within the framework of social dialogue and the government's commitment to implementing the provisions of this agreement. He further assured that the UGTM will continue the dialogue to achieve new gains in upcoming rounds for the benefit of workers in both the public and private sectors. Rajae Kessab, a member of the executive bureau of the Democratic Labor Confederation (CDT), called on behalf of the union for the government to honor its sectoral commitments, noting that the latest agreement signed with the government, within the framework of social dialogue, builds on the continuity of the agreement reached on April 30, 2022, awaiting the completion of dialogue on other points during the period from June to September. She also stressed the importance of engaging in dialogue with all parties to reach a consensus on all essential issues concerning the future of employment in Morocco, ensuring that the CDT will continue to defend the rights of the working class through negotiation. After recalling the current social context in Morocco, she emphasized the need to adopt economic and social policies that consolid ate social justice and contribute to job creation, also calling for a comprehensive reform of the educational system and guaranteeing the rights of women workers through laws that reinforce equity in the workplace. The Democratic Labor Federation (FDT) praised the major royal initiatives in various areas as structuring initiatives that strengthen Morocco's position regionally, continentally, and internationally by consolidating common human values. In a speech, the general secretary of the FDT, Youssef Aidi, welcomed the implementation of the second axis of the social protection project, namely the launch last December of direct aid to families. Ali Lotfi, the general secretary of the Democratic Labor Organization (ODT), called for continued mobilization toward adopting a new social pact that protects fundamental rights and freedoms, ensures wage justice, decent employment, fiscal equity, and dignified retirement, while also preserving the rights of migrants. Similarly, the ODT called for an increase in r etirement pensions, exemption of pensions from income tax, consolidation of retirement and health insurance funds into a single system, revision of common cadre statutes between ministries, and acceleration of the implementation of the agreement in the health and local government sectors. As for the National Union of Workers in Morocco (UNTM), it emphasized during a meeting that the current social situation is marked by the continued rise in prices of almost all basic products and services, especially hydrocarbons. The union also addressed crucial issues such as the implementation of pension reform, institutionalization of social dialogue, revision of electoral laws concerning employees, laws related to trade unions, the right to strike, and ratification of the international convention on trade union freedoms. Furthermore, the labor unions welcomed the succession of international recognitions of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara, emphasizing their determination to continue mobilizing and remaining vigi lant in defending the Kingdom's territorial integrity. They also expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people and support for their legitimate rights to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse