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Country informationMorocco has one of the highest child labour rates in the Middle East and North Africa.
In the agricultural sector, most children work on family farms picking fruit and vegetables or working as shepherds, and do not attend school. In urban areas, many girls work as domestic servants for wealthy urban families.
Education in Morocco is free and compulsory through primary school (age 15). Nevertheless, many children – particularly girls in rural areas – still do not attend school.
The Moroccan organisation SNE runs a successful program to keep children in school and out of child labour. SNE is one of the delegates who join the Africa Tour.
Check the Africa Tour reporters' weblog on Morocco!
| Official name: | Al-Mamlakah al-Maghribīyah (Kingdom of Morocco) |
| Form of government: | constitutional monarchy |
| Chief of state and head of government: | King MOHAMED VI (since 30 July 1999) Assisted by Prime Minister Abbas EL FASSI (since 19 September 2007) |
| Capital: | Rabat |
| Official language: | Arabic, Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government, and diplomacy |
| Monetary unit: | Moroccan dirham (DH) |
| Population estimate: | 34,343,219 (July 2008 est.) |
Age structure:
0-14 years: 30.5% (male 5,337,322/female 5,136,156)
15-64 years: 64.3% (male 11,015,409/female 11,069,038)
65 years and over: 5.2% (male 765,882/female 1,019,412) (2008 est.)
Median age:
total: 24.7 years
male: 24.1 years
female: 25.2 years (2008 est.)
Literacy:
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 52.3%
male: 65.7%
female: 39.6% (2004 census)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$4,100 (2007 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
Agriculture: 14.5%
industry: 37.9%
services: 47.7% (2007 est.)
Labour force:
11.05 million (2007 est.)
Labour force - by occupation:
Agriculture: 40%
industry: 15%
services: 45% (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables, olives; livestock
Industries:
Phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism
Ratified Conventions ILO:
138 on Minimum Working Age
182 on Worst Forms of Child Labour (Source: ILO 2008)
Primary education net enrolment:
Male:92%
Female: 87%
Secondary education net enrolment:
Male: 38%
Female: 33%
(Source: UNICEF 2006)
Monarchies
In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, successive Moorish dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad AL-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age.
Spain and France
In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily erode; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year.
Gradual political reforms
Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of two separate and distinct lawmaking assemblies, which first met in 1997. Improvements in human rights have occurred and there is a largely free press. Despite the continuing reforms, ultimate authority remains in the hands of the monarch.
In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, successive Moorish dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad AL-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age.
Spain and France
In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily erode; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year.
Gradual political reforms
Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of two separate and distinct lawmaking assemblies, which first met in 1997. Improvements in human rights have occurred and there is a largely free press. Despite the continuing reforms, ultimate authority remains in the hands of the monarch.
Unemployment
Moroccan economic policies brought economic stability to the country in the early 1990s but have not spurred growth sufficient to reduce unemployment - nearing 20% in urban areas - despite the Moroccan Government's ongoing efforts to diversify the economy.
Moroccan authorities understand that reducing poverty and providing jobs are the keys to domestic security and development. In 2005, Morocco launched the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), a $2 billion social development plan to address poverty and unemployment and to improve the living conditions of the country's urban slums.
International investors
Moroccan authorities are implementing reform efforts to open the economy to international investors. In 2000, Morocco entered an Association Agreement with the EU and, in 2006, entered a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US.
Long-term challenges include improving education and job prospects for
Morocco's youth, and closing the income gap between the rich and the poor, which the government hopes to achieve by increasing tourist arrivals and boosting competitiveness in textiles.
Moroccan economic policies brought economic stability to the country in the early 1990s but have not spurred growth sufficient to reduce unemployment - nearing 20% in urban areas - despite the Moroccan Government's ongoing efforts to diversify the economy.
Moroccan authorities understand that reducing poverty and providing jobs are the keys to domestic security and development. In 2005, Morocco launched the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), a $2 billion social development plan to address poverty and unemployment and to improve the living conditions of the country's urban slums.
International investors
Moroccan authorities are implementing reform efforts to open the economy to international investors. In 2000, Morocco entered an Association Agreement with the EU and, in 2006, entered a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US.
Long-term challenges include improving education and job prospects for
Morocco's youth, and closing the income gap between the rich and the poor, which the government hopes to achieve by increasing tourist arrivals and boosting competitiveness in textiles.
>Source: International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) report 2001
High rates of child labour
Morocco has one of the highest child labour rates in the Middle East and North Africa. The majority of working children are found in the agricultural sector, followed by services and manufacturing. Of the children who work in the agricultural sector, most work on family farms picking fruit and vegetables or working as shepherds, and do not attend school.
Doukala
Child work is most prevalent in Doukala, an agricultural province south of Casablanca, where an estimated 26 percent of children aged 7 to 14 are working the fields and tending livestock.
Rural areas
Children in rural areas are reportedly six times more likely to be working than those in urban areas. Children also work in the industrial and artisan sectors, in the production of textiles and carpets, and other light manufacturing activities. A large number of children work as junior artisans in the handicraft industry, many of them working as apprentices before they reach 12 years and under substandard health and safety conditions.
Girls
In urban areas, many girls working as domestic servants can be found in situations of unregulated “adoptive servitude”, in which girls from rural areas are sold by their parents, trafficked, and “adopted” by wealthy urban families to work in their homes.
Rented out
Children are also “rented” out by their parents or other relatives to beg. According to a 2004 survey conducted by the Moroccan League for the Protection of Children, children younger than 7 had been offered by their parents to serve as sympathy props for adult beggars.
Street children
Thousands of street children live and work in Morocco’s urban centres. They are engaged in various forms of work including selling cigarettes, begging, shining , and washing and polishing cars. Street children are predominantly boys, but girls - commonly former household maids who have fled abusive employers - are also seen on the street in increasing numbers. Street children are vulnerable to sexual, physical, and substance abuse, and to being forced into illicit activities such as prostitution, selling drugs, or theft in order to collect money for gang leaders.
Child Trafficking
Morocco is a country of destination for children trafficked from sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, and Asia, and it serves as a transit and origin point for children trafficked to Europe for forced labour, drug trafficking, and commercial sexual exploitation. A growing number of girls are trafficked to El-Hajeb in the Middle Atlas, where they are forced into prostitution. Children are also trafficked internally as child domestic workers, beggars, and for prostitution.
High rates of child labour
Morocco has one of the highest child labour rates in the Middle East and North Africa. The majority of working children are found in the agricultural sector, followed by services and manufacturing. Of the children who work in the agricultural sector, most work on family farms picking fruit and vegetables or working as shepherds, and do not attend school.
Doukala
Child work is most prevalent in Doukala, an agricultural province south of Casablanca, where an estimated 26 percent of children aged 7 to 14 are working the fields and tending livestock.
Rural areas
Children in rural areas are reportedly six times more likely to be working than those in urban areas. Children also work in the industrial and artisan sectors, in the production of textiles and carpets, and other light manufacturing activities. A large number of children work as junior artisans in the handicraft industry, many of them working as apprentices before they reach 12 years and under substandard health and safety conditions.
Girls
In urban areas, many girls working as domestic servants can be found in situations of unregulated “adoptive servitude”, in which girls from rural areas are sold by their parents, trafficked, and “adopted” by wealthy urban families to work in their homes.
Rented out
Children are also “rented” out by their parents or other relatives to beg. According to a 2004 survey conducted by the Moroccan League for the Protection of Children, children younger than 7 had been offered by their parents to serve as sympathy props for adult beggars.
Street children
Thousands of street children live and work in Morocco’s urban centres. They are engaged in various forms of work including selling cigarettes, begging, shining , and washing and polishing cars. Street children are predominantly boys, but girls - commonly former household maids who have fled abusive employers - are also seen on the street in increasing numbers. Street children are vulnerable to sexual, physical, and substance abuse, and to being forced into illicit activities such as prostitution, selling drugs, or theft in order to collect money for gang leaders.
Child Trafficking
Morocco is a country of destination for children trafficked from sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, and Asia, and it serves as a transit and origin point for children trafficked to Europe for forced labour, drug trafficking, and commercial sexual exploitation. A growing number of girls are trafficked to El-Hajeb in the Middle Atlas, where they are forced into prostitution. Children are also trafficked internally as child domestic workers, beggars, and for prostitution.
Free and compulsory
Education in Morocco is free and compulsory through primary school (age 15). Nevertheless, many children – particularly girls in rural areas – still do not attend school.
School and work
Besides, many children who are enrolled do not attend on a regular basis since they are pushed to combine their education with work. Among these children drop out rates are high. It is rare to find children who, over a prolonged period of time, manage to balance their studies and their daily chores. The majority rarely finish the first cycle of elementary school.
According to the Moroccan Ministry of Education, up to 320,000 children quit school annually to work in domestic service, agriculture, handicraft industries and the worst forms of child labour. While the minimum age for work is 15, children are often apprenticed before age 12 in family-run handicraft workshops
Illiteracy
Illiteracy is a mayor problem. The country's illiteracy rate has been at around 50% for some years, but reaches as high as 90% among girls in rural regions. Illiterate parents often can’t comprehend the value of education for their children’s life chances and how vital it is to breaking the cycle of poverty.
Until parents are aware of the importance of education and the need to make sacrifices to support the child’s education, children will continue to work in difficult and perilous conditions. These same children will soon grow up and add themselves to the ranks of illiterate adults.
Education in Morocco is free and compulsory through primary school (age 15). Nevertheless, many children – particularly girls in rural areas – still do not attend school.
School and work
Besides, many children who are enrolled do not attend on a regular basis since they are pushed to combine their education with work. Among these children drop out rates are high. It is rare to find children who, over a prolonged period of time, manage to balance their studies and their daily chores. The majority rarely finish the first cycle of elementary school.
According to the Moroccan Ministry of Education, up to 320,000 children quit school annually to work in domestic service, agriculture, handicraft industries and the worst forms of child labour. While the minimum age for work is 15, children are often apprenticed before age 12 in family-run handicraft workshops
Illiteracy
Illiteracy is a mayor problem. The country's illiteracy rate has been at around 50% for some years, but reaches as high as 90% among girls in rural regions. Illiterate parents often can’t comprehend the value of education for their children’s life chances and how vital it is to breaking the cycle of poverty.
Until parents are aware of the importance of education and the need to make sacrifices to support the child’s education, children will continue to work in difficult and perilous conditions. These same children will soon grow up and add themselves to the ranks of illiterate adults.
(Source: Save The Children/ FAFO Survey 2001)
Petites bonnes
The "petites bonnes" are young girls (here defined as under the age of 15
years) who perform various household tasks, and who live with their employers.
Domestic labour in Morocco is largely an urban phenomenon: young girls work as maids in the cities (migrating from rural and semi-urban areas).
The number of petites bonnes is estimated between 66,000 and 88,000. With dramatically reduced fertility rates in recent years, however, the number of girls (potentially) available for work will be greatly reduced in coming years. Even so, the development of the number of petites bonnes depends on other factors too, e.g. the level of salaries, development of educational system, parents’ living conditions, and living and working conditions in rural and urban areas more generally.
Need of income
Parents send daughters to work as a response to an economic situation where they are in need of a source of income, i.e. the income of their daughters. Younger girls have little say in decisions made for their working life and have few opportunities to take action when they dislike their environments whereas older girls relate actively to their working situation.
For many of them, the question is not whether to work, but whom to work for and they take action by changing employers, or trying to improve their conditions. Often, parents assist the girls in their search.
Preventive interventions
Preventive interventions can be directed toward both employers, parents of petites bonnes, and toward bonnes themselves.
One recommendation related to the different actors involved is the provision of multifunctional resource centres for petites bonnes should be established in urban areas, offering girls education, counselling, discussion forums (where they can participate in discussions on topics that concern them), and if possible health facilities.
Such centres offer an opportunity for young bonnes to extend their social network, and enable them to compare their situation with other girls. This is often a trigger for taking action to change their own
situation. Such resource centres can also be used in prevention of new recruitment of bonnes. Thus, former and present petites bonnes can be involved in information work in schools, also in rural and semi-urban areas where girls claim to "want to go to town".
Rural areas
In addition to interventions in urban areas, community or activities centres for children in rural areas may offer opportunities to rural girls to engage in other activities other than domestic work in their families’ households. Finally, the rural centres can be used in awareness-raising activities with parents to prevent their daughters being recruited and encouraging them to send their daughters to school.
Petites bonnes
The "petites bonnes" are young girls (here defined as under the age of 15
years) who perform various household tasks, and who live with their employers.
Domestic labour in Morocco is largely an urban phenomenon: young girls work as maids in the cities (migrating from rural and semi-urban areas).
The number of petites bonnes is estimated between 66,000 and 88,000. With dramatically reduced fertility rates in recent years, however, the number of girls (potentially) available for work will be greatly reduced in coming years. Even so, the development of the number of petites bonnes depends on other factors too, e.g. the level of salaries, development of educational system, parents’ living conditions, and living and working conditions in rural and urban areas more generally.
Need of income
Parents send daughters to work as a response to an economic situation where they are in need of a source of income, i.e. the income of their daughters. Younger girls have little say in decisions made for their working life and have few opportunities to take action when they dislike their environments whereas older girls relate actively to their working situation.
For many of them, the question is not whether to work, but whom to work for and they take action by changing employers, or trying to improve their conditions. Often, parents assist the girls in their search.
Preventive interventions
Preventive interventions can be directed toward both employers, parents of petites bonnes, and toward bonnes themselves.
One recommendation related to the different actors involved is the provision of multifunctional resource centres for petites bonnes should be established in urban areas, offering girls education, counselling, discussion forums (where they can participate in discussions on topics that concern them), and if possible health facilities.
Such centres offer an opportunity for young bonnes to extend their social network, and enable them to compare their situation with other girls. This is often a trigger for taking action to change their own
situation. Such resource centres can also be used in prevention of new recruitment of bonnes. Thus, former and present petites bonnes can be involved in information work in schools, also in rural and semi-urban areas where girls claim to "want to go to town".
Rural areas
In addition to interventions in urban areas, community or activities centres for children in rural areas may offer opportunities to rural girls to engage in other activities other than domestic work in their families’ households. Finally, the rural centres can be used in awareness-raising activities with parents to prevent their daughters being recruited and encouraging them to send their daughters to school.
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