• The National Union of Labor in Morocco (UNTM) has called for a protest march starting at Bab El-Had Square in Rabat at 10:30 (local time) on January 19.
• The UNTM has urged unions, workers, and civil activists to join the demonstration organized by the “Front for the Defense of the Right to Strike”, opposing perceived restrictive provisions in Morocco’s draft law on the right to strike.

1. Organic Law No. 97-15, which outlines the conditions and methods for exercising the right to strike in Morocco, was reportedly approved by the Committee on Social Sectors in the House of Representatives in December 2024. This sparked protests in December and recently on January 5, with protesters claiming that the bill includes provisions that restrict their right to strike. Despite the government’s reported announcement on January 9 to amend the draft law in response to workers’ concerns, unions likely remain skeptical, perceiving that the government is prioritizing restrictive measures and legalizing strike bans while rushing for approval without meaningful dialogue. In this context, the planned protest is likely aimed at rallying support for the protection of labor rights while opposing policies perceived as undermining fundamental rights.
2. FORECAST: Drawing from previous protests, turnout is expected to range from the high dozens to the low hundreds. Given the possibility of protesters marching from Bab el-Had Square to Parliament, a bolstered security presence is likely along the route and outside Parliament. While the demonstration is likely to remain peaceful, should demonstrators be perceived as acting disruptively, security forces may resort to forceful measures to disperse crowds, potentially resulting in minor clashes, as evidenced by the December 29, 2024 protest when security forces dispersed crowds gathered outside Parliament. Traffic disruptions are anticipated in the vicinity of Bab El-Had Square and Parliament during the morning hours of January 19.

Those operating or residing in Rabat on January 19 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance for allot for disruptions during the morning hours due to the slated protest and the associated risk of localized unrest.