Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Morocco (Ratification: 1963)

Article 2 of the Convention. Equality of opportunity and treatment for men and women. Public service. The Committee notes with interest the measures taken by the Government to mainstream gender equality in the public service through the deployment, in collaboration with UN Women, of a gender mainstreaming strategy in the public service providing for: (1) the setting up of administrative structures, the gender-sensitive management of human resources and competencies, and the embedding of equality in the behaviour and organizational culture of the administration; (2) capacity-building and the implementation of training; (3) the adoption of a manual of procedures for gender mainstreaming in recruitment, selection and appointments in the public service; and (4) amendments to the Public Service Regulations to include, inter alia, provisions for granting paternity leave and provisions relating to breastfeeding. It notes that this approach envisages standard specifications for the setting up of crèches close to workplaces, to be adopted by all ministerial departments. With regard to the appointment of women to senior posts in the public service, the Committee welcomes the appointment of women between late 2012 and mid-2019 to 12.4 per cent of senior posts and to 23 per cent of posts at all levels of responsibility. It also notes the obligation to appoint a woman to the committee responsible for interviews for the selection of candidates to these posts. The Committee trusts that the Government will be in a position to implement its gender equality mainstreaming policy in the public service and to continue promoting the employment of women at all levels, including in supervisory posts, and requests it to continue its efforts in this field. The Committee requests the Government to carry out regular evaluations of this policy, and to provide information on the results achieved, including statistics to support these evaluations. It also requests the Government to provide information on any amendments to the Public Service Regulations relating to paternity leave and any measures taken to enable men and women civil servants to achieve a better balance between their work and family responsibilities (crèches, etc.).

Private sector. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the National Employment Strategy (SNE) up to 2025 aims, inter alia, at promoting social inclusion and equity, in particular for young persons, women, rural workers and informal workers. The Government also recalls that, further to the evaluation of the Government Equality Plan 2012–16 (ICRAM 1), the Equality Plan 2017–21 (ICRAM 2) has identified seven strategic areas, including increasing the employability and economic autonomy of women and disseminating a culture of equality that combats discrimination and gender-based stereotypes. The Committee welcomes the numerous programmes and projects containing measures to improve the participation of women in the labour market, incorporate gender mainstreaming into all employment policies and promote gender equality and combat gender stereotypes, particularly in the media. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it is providing financial support for the implementation of partnership projects with associations working on the protection of women’s rights at work, with the goals of awareness-raising of women regarding their rights and of employers regarding the importance of establishing a culture of professional equality in the enterprise. The Committee also notes that, according to the report entitled “In-depth national examination of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action after 25 years” (Beijing+25), numerous measures have been taken to improve women’s access to real estate, financial services and credit and to professional and business networks, with a view to thus developing entrepreneurship for women. Welcoming the measures and initiatives taken by the Government to achieve progress in gender equality in employment and occupation, the Committee trusts that the Government will be in a position to implement them with a view to increasing the participation of women in waged employment and in self-employment, to combat actively gender stereotypes and prejudices and to eliminate obstacles to gender equality. It requests the Government to take measures in this regard and provide information on the measures taken, the evaluations carried out and the results achieved throughout the country, including in rural areas.

Institution responsible for promoting equality and combating discrimination. The Committee notes with interest the promulgation on 21 September 2017 of Act No. 79.14 concerning the Parity and Anti-Discrimination Authority (APALD), the mandate of which includes receiving and examining complaints of discrimination, making recommendations to the competent authorities and monitoring follow-up action. It also notes that this institution, which includes members of the public administration and civil society, trade union representatives and employers’ representatives, is also mandated to issue opinions on draft legislation and propose legislative amendments, promote the principles of equality and non-discrimination, particularly for women, and disseminate good practices in this field. The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure that the APALD is established and becomes operational, particularly by granting it the necessary resources and staff to discharge its tasks, not only in relation to the handling of complaints, but also providing advice and recommendations, awareness-raising and training. The Committee requests the Government to provide information in this regard and also on APALD activities for combating discrimination and promoting equality in employment and occupation, including the number and nature of the cases of discrimination handled and their outcome.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.