Social Sectors Committee at House of Representatives Examines Situation of Social Security in Light of Coronavirus
The Social Sectors Committee at the House of Representatives held a meeting on Wednesday, September 16th, 2020, chaired by Chairperson of the Committee Saida Aït Bouali, and attended by Minister of Employment and Vocational Integration Mohamed Amakraz. The meeting was devoted to studying topics relative to the repercussions of epidemiological clusters in some farms and industrial and production units, the extent of employers' abidance by the protective measures, the measures taken by the Ministry to oversee the commitment of employers to registering their employees within the National Social Security Fund (CNSS), expanding health and social coverage in implementation of the Royal speech, and the situation of National Social Security Fund hospitals and their role in the light of COVID-19.
Concerning the measures taken regarding social protection, the Minister stated that “the Government is working on implementing the measures that aim to generalize health coverage for all wage earners through consolidating labor inspection and social security bodies, and speeding up the implementation and expansion of social protection for independent workers.”
As for the special measures that aim to accompany the enterprises affected by COVID-19, the Minister noted that “the Government agreed on launching a new phase where the measures will target the most affected sectors in need for financial aid and support.”
On another note, Mr. Amakraz tackled “the different measures taken by the Government to combat COVID-19 and the repercussions of epidemiological clusters in some farms, in addition to the measures taken regarding the registration of employees within the National Social Security Fund and the situation of National Social Security Fund hospitals and their role in the light of the pandemic.”
During the open discussion, the deputies made several proposals and comments on the presentation of the Minister. In this respect, the committee members called for “translating the high Royal determination to generalize social protection for all Moroccans within the next five years through looking for formulas to develop and expand the National Social Security Fund coverage and other social protection schemes so that it covers all socio-professional categories.”
In the same context, the committee members called for paying close attention to labor inspectors considering their vital role in social protection, especially following the recent developments of the health situation within farms and production units. Besides, the deputies called for expanding the scope of control and awareness-raising operations by elaborating a comprehensive strategy to regulate the processes of registering employees.
Also, the deputies addressed the situation of National Social Security Fund hospitals and their role in the light of COVID-19 as part of engaging in the national mobilization to limit the pandemic's propagation.