House of Representatives Unanimously Adopts Two Government Bills Relating to the Direct Social Assistance Scheme and the Creation of the National Agency for Social Assistance

The House of Representatives unanimously adopted, on Monday, November 27, 2023, two Government bills relating to the direct social assistance scheme and the creation of the National Agency for Social Assistance. The adoption took place during a legislative plenary sitting chaired by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Rachid Talbi El Alami, with the participation of the Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of relations with the Parliament and Government Spokesperson, Mr. Mustapha Baïtas.

In this context, Government Bill 58.23 on the direct social assistance scheme is part of the Kingdom's ongoing progress, thanks to the major projects and reforms it is undertaking under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. This Bill is also a timely opportunity to revisit the State’s social sector policy and reorganize priorities so that the State moves from supporting supply to supporting demand by granting direct financial assistance to families.

In this regard, the Bill stipulates two categories of aid. The first one concerns protection against child-related dangers for families with children under the age of 21. This aid comprises a monthly allowance, a complementary one, and a maternity allowance. The second category takes the form of a lump-sum allowance for families with no children or children over the age of 21, particularly those living in poverty, those in vulnerable situations, or the ones suffering from the dangers of old age.

In the same context, Government Bill 59.23 on the creation of the National Agency for Social Assistance stipulates the creation of a public establishment with legal personality and financial independence, to be known as the National Agency for Social Assistance. The Agency will be responsible for the management of the direct social assistance scheme, as well as its monitoring and evaluation in order to increase its efficiency, in application of the high Royal directives in which His Majesty underscored the need to adopt good governance in all dimensions of the direct social assistance program, as well as the need to put in place a specific monitoring and evaluation mechanism, likely to guarantee ongoing development and recovery.

Accordingly, the Bill defines the Agency's missions, competences, and management and administration procedures, as well as the powers and formation of its Board of Directors, the prerogatives of its Managing Director, and its administrative and financial organization in terms of resources and expenditure. The Bill also defines the terms and conditions for exercising State fiscal control over the Agency.