87% of professional workers do not have Social Security coverage: alarming numbers

Social protection, inflation middle-class, social protection as well as other issues have been documented in a recently released report by the Moroccan Observatory of Social Protection. Through an analysis, the report highlighted the issues that prevent the effective application of the social protection policy in Morocco which is limiting the notion of a universalization and inclusion of everyone in society. 

In a study titled “Social protection or disguised structural adjustment” The Observatory explored the gaps in government’s view of the goal to generalize social protection. The flaws are related to the creation of an evaluation mechanism to qualify the effectiveness of government at administrative, legislative, and social level. It also focuses on the study of public debates about social security to evaluate the efficacy of government policies as well as suggest a plan of action to create more equitable, inclusive and respectful policies. 

In the context of the middle class as the horse that is the mainstay of many militant movements. The Observatory has criticized the dependence of social protection measures on funding based on the end of the Compensation Fund. It reveals that the government will redirect the funds from the Fund (which was 4.6 billion dirhams by the closing of May 2024 as opposed to the 9 billion that was available in last year) towards integrated social security methods, including the unification of the social register and, in particular the funding of health care costs. This will directly impact the power of purchasing for households especially those belonging to middle-class households. 

In the executive report, the method of funding could safeguard certain populations while depriving others of their resources which could lead to the removal of the State from social sphere. 

Another omission highlighted in this report is the lack of quality of the health system for public use. The report identifies a gap in the supply of health care services to the public. The report reveals significant differences between the goals and budget allocated to the reform. This hinders the effectiveness of the universalization of social security. Poor control of human resources within the public health sector is a contributing factor to the issue, leaving an element of the infrastructure in need of attention as another one is bloated.   

It also critiques a strategy of the government that favors increasing privatization of health system under the guise of technological innovations in finance. It also calls for the establishment of new administration entities and restricting the power that are the responsibility of Health Ministry. Ministry of Health. 

The Observatory points out that rising inflation has weakened the effectiveness of social security policies even though they appear to be promising according to public figures, haven’t made a difference to the lives of a lot of families. It criticizes the structure that sees households pay for greater than 63.3 percent of the total healthcare expenses, and inflation is still weighing heavy on the purchasing power of households. 

The report critiques the Bank’s policy that encourages specific policies instead of broad-based support programs. The approach relies on income-based criteria for determining the eligibility of social assistance that reduces the cost, but it compromises the fairness and accessibility of social protection. 

Disruptions in the structure 

The Observatory observes normative inconsistencies within the social protection system, and argues that they are not in line with international norms, such as the ones of the International Labor Organization. They also critique the lack of effort to consider the dangers associated with employment and gender inequalities which is deeply rooted in society. 

Despite efforts to set up steering committees on social security and social protection, the report does not condemn disorganized management. The interministerial panel that was supposed to oversee these changes only met in 2024. This is indicative of the lack of coordination as well as openness. 

In addition, the report shows that 87% of the professionals that are registered with Social Security don’t get coverage because of the end of their contribution, which is threatening the sustainability of the system as well as making large sections of the population with no social security.  

In the end, the report is a call for sustainable and inclusive changes, highlighting the crucial importance of the state for guaranteeing truly equal as well as universal social security.