Morocco

Employment Contracts

There are three types of employment contracts in Morocco: fixed term, indefinite term and job completion. Definite-term contracts may not exceed 12 months (one year) and can be renewed only once, while indefinite-term contracts do not have an expiration date. In the case of a fixed-term contract, if an employee continues working for the employer after the contract expires, then the fixed-term contract will automatically become an indefinite-term contract.

The probation period for indefinite-term contracts cannot exceed three months for managers, a month and a half for office employees, and 15 days for on-site laborers. For definite-term contracts that are for less than six months the probation period is limited to one day for every week and 30 days for contracts for more than six months. The probation period can be renewed only once.

The employer is required to have an employment card issued and annually renewed for the employee from the Labour office. They are also required to establish an internal medical first aid room with a doctor when employing more than 50 employees.

In Morocco, every 26 days or 191 hours of work is considered one full month of employment.

Public Holidays

• New Year’s Day
• Anniversary of the Independence Manifesto
• Labour Day
• Eid al-Fitr
• Throne Day
• Eid al-Adha
• Oued Ed-Dahab Day
• Islamic New Year
• Revolution Day
• Birthday of King Mohammed VI and Youth Day
• Mawlid
• Green March Day
• Independence Day

Compensation

Salaries must be paid in the Moroccan currency and distributed twice a month with a payment receipt. The minimum wage varies.

Employees are entitled to periodic increases in their salaries. Bonuses based on seniority are common.

Working Hours

In Morocco, every 26 days or 191 hours of work is one full month of employment. The standard work year is 2,288 hours per year distributed over 44 hours per week from Monday to Friday, provided that the workday hours do not exceed 10 per day.

Overtime is capped at two hours per day and 80 hours per year. Overtime can be extended to 100 hours per year with permission from the Worker’s Council. Overtime pay during the daytime period (6 a.m. to 9 p.m.) is 125% of the basic rate. Overtime worked at night (9 p.m. to 6 a.m.) is paid at 150% of the basic rate. Overtime during weekends and public holidays is increased to 150% for work during the day, and 200% for work during the evening, in addition to receiving an alternate day of rest. The total amount of overtime must be paid in the following pay date of the salary.

Weekly rest should be at least one day per week that is set on Friday, Saturday, Sunday or on the weekly market day.

Female employees can work night shifts after consultations with the labor unions.

Vacation Leave

Employees receive one-and-a-half days of annual leave for every month of service.

Sick Leave

Employees receive sick leave after the fourth day of illness, if they have contributed to social security in the previous six months, notify their employer within 48 hours of illness and have a medical certificate. It is paid at 66% of the employee’s basic salary.

Employees are required to inform their employers of their sick leave within 48 hours after getting sick and submit a medical certificate within four days.

Maternity / Paternity Leave

Generally, female employees receive 14 weeks of fully paid maternity leave, seven weeks before the due date and seven weeks after delivery. However, in the event of pregnancy-related illnesses, the paid maternity period is extended to eight weeks before the due date and a maximum of 14 weeks after the delivery. They can also qualify for 12 months of unpaid leave to take care of the new-born child. Male employees receive three days of paternity leave.

Female employees who are either pregnant or on maternity leave and choose to resign, can do so without adhering to the termination notice period, as long as she informed her employer no later than 15 days before the expiration of maternity leave.

Paid paternity leave is three days (consecutive or separated), which should be determined by the parties. The employer will pay the employee during paternity leave his regular salary and can request reimbursement from the National Social Security.

Employment Termination/Severance

The fixed-term employment contract expires automatically on the expiration date or on completing the designated work. If any of the contracted parties terminates the fixed-term contract before its expiration, the terminating party is required to compensate the other the total amount of salary due until the expiration date provided that the termination was without cause or the influence of external forces beyond the control of the contracted parties. An employee is considered to have resigned their position after 180 days of consecutive absence in a year.

The termination notice period depends on the duration and type of employment.

In the case of daily, weekly, or bi-weekly paid laborers, they receive a two-day notice before termination.

During the termination notice period, the employee is entitled to receive two hours per day of paid leave of absence to search for alternative employment provided the total absence does not exceed eight hours per week or 30 hours per month. This absence should be determined by both the employer and employee, where each party will alternate in choosing the days of the two-hour absence.

The employer and employee may terminate the indefinite-term contract at any time provided that there exists cause for the termination. In some instances, the employer may terminate a contract without notice or severance in cases of misconduct.

Health Insurance Benefits

Morocco has universal health insurance.