25 Apr 2019 | 06:16 PM UTC
Morocco: Thousands of teachers protest in Rabat April 24-25 /update 5
Security forces forcibly disperse teachers' protest in Rabat April 24-25; related demonstrations expected until April 27
Event
Thousands of contractual teachers staged a demonstration in front of the parliament building in Rabat overnight (local time) from Wednesday, April 24, into Thursday, April 25, denouncing dissatisfactory terms of employment. Security forces forcibly dispersed the protest using water cannons and batons, leaving over 70 people wounded.
Related protests are expected to take place in Morocco until Saturday, April 27; further details were not immediately reported. A heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions are to be expected around demonstration sites. Clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out.
Context
The April 24-25 protest and clashes between demonstrating teachers and security forces reportedly come after negotiations between teachers' unions and the Moroccan government stalled as of April 23, with each side accusing the other of breaking the terms of an earlier April 13 accord.
Teachers' unions staged a series of strikes across Morocco in March and April to demand that the government provide retirement benefits in line with those provided to other public sector workers, increase bonus payments, and allow the renegotiation of their current contracts.
Advice
Individuals in Morocco are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.
