King Mohammed VI praised the ground made in Moroccan politics towards developing social dialogue and outlined future challenges during a royal message at the 2nd International Parliamentary Forum on Social Dialogue on Monday in Rabat.

“Social dialogue is a principle and an approach that, since my accession to the throne of my glorious ancestors, I have been urging all stakeholders to adopt and institutionalize as a strategic option for our country,” the Sovereign stated, stressing his intention to build upon the achievements of Hassan II, in particular his creation of the Economic and Social Council in the 1996 Constitution.

The Sovereign said that he has urged successive governments to promote consultation between social parties, adopt suitable approaches to professional relationships, and consolidate and develop social dialogue mechanisms and approaches.

Towards this goal, the King cited his implementation of laws regarding consultation, negotiation, conciliation, and dispute-resolution, as well as various mechanisms for collective bargaining provided by the Labor Law.

However, the King pointed out that social dialogue mechanisms are measured neither by their mere existence nor by their regular usage; rather, they must have tangible, positive effects towards the promotion of social peace, economic growth, and sustainable, inclusive development. Only through good practices can social justice be achieved.

The king listed four goals for the development of a Moroccan model for social dialogue:

1. The institutionalization of social dialogue mechanisms with simple, clear, and accessible procedures.

2. A broadening of the scope of social dialogue to include new issues “at the heart […] of our country’s constitutional and conventional commitments,” such as the fights against gender discrimination and child labor.

3. Aligning the social dialogue system with standards regarding human rights, labor rights, and sustainable development in its economic, social, and environment dimensions.

4. The institutionalization of social dialogue as a gateway to achieving social justice.

“These requirements must be taken into consideration not only to ensure the methodological coherence of the new social dialogue system,” the King emphasized, “but also because they are at the heart of the course of action resolutely adopted by our country, with a view to changing to a new sustainable development model which is fair and comprehensive.”

In this regard, the King asked the House of Advisors to pursue the participatory construction of a Moroccan model for social justice, through the organization of thematic and sectoral debates, forums and consultations with the relevant actors and to make use of their results to prepare future sessions of this parliamentary forum.  

“This model should achieve social justice and set the conditions for a decent life, which are fundamental for laying the foundations for a solidarity-based society, as described in the preamble to the Kingdom’s constitution.”