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Morocco World
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Moroccan Youth Alliance Fights Age Discrimination in Public Sector Recruitment
Rabat — The Moroccan Civil Alliance for Youth has sent an urgent letter to the Kingdom's Mediator Institution demanding action against what they call 'arbitrary exclusion' in public sector recruitment competitions. The organization specifically challenges the age requirement to be 30 or 35 years for certain civil service entrance exams, particularly those for teaching positions. According to multiple Moroccan media reports, the alliance argues these age restrictions 'deprive thousands of graduates from universities, colleges, and vocational training centers of their right to participate in these competitions.' The letter also said that this practice worsens the 'intensified feelings of frustration and despair among young graduates after long years of study and professional training.' The organization echoed Moroccan graduates' outrage at the age restriction in the public sector, saying that it goes against the government's efforts to invest in human capital. It added that the restriction hampers the integration of young talent into positions of responsibility. The alliance's call argued that the age restriction disregards young people's abilities and skills, wasting qualified human resources, noting that this excludes young people from public service while keeping older officials in leadership positions across sensitive sectors. The organization went on to consider that 'age-based exclusion contradicts Constitutional provisions, particularly Article 31, which establishes the principle of merit and equal opportunity, and Article 6, which guarantees non-discrimination.' Read also: Age Restriction in Morocco's Teachers Recruitment Triggers Public Outrage This practice, the NGO says, 'also violates public service law provisions, which set the maximum recruitment age at 45 years, as well as the statutes of several public institutions.' The alliance further warned about other practices worsening youth employment prospects, such as 'imposing strict and restrictive conditions related to required master's degree specializations.' According to the organization, this excludes graduates with similar qualifications to those requested, 'clearly violating principles of fairness and free competition.' The alliance called on the Kingdom's Mediator Institution to take action against this age restriction 'to intervene with government and public authorities to ensure respect for the Constitution and law.' They also advocate for serious dialogue with civil society organizations to achieve fair and lasting solutions that will enable broader youth participation in recruitment competitions without preliminary exclusion. The organization requested a direct meeting with the Mediator Institution to present additional data on this issue, which 'directly affects young people's rights to access public service based on competence and merit, not discriminatory age criteria.'
Jordan News
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Jordan News
Al-Safadi: There Are No Political Prisoners in Jordan - Jordan News
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmad Al-Safadi, has given the government a 24-hour deadline to respond to the lawmakers' demands for including all students applying for scholarships and loans, urging the government to avoid any further delays in implementing this. اضافة اعلان Medical Exemptions Return to Discussion The MPs have revisited the issue of medical exemptions, arguing that the government could provide them by cutting excess spending in various areas. Several lawmakers increased their criticism of the government, claiming it does not listen to their demands, especially regarding issues such as scholarships, loans, medical exemptions, high electricity and water bills, and traffic violations. The MPs from the Islamic Action Front Party called for the release of detainees, with their families holding a sit-in outside the parliament gate. These statements prompted Speaker Al-Safadi to intervene, stating, "There are no political prisoners in Jordan; anyone who violates the law must be held accountable." Suleiman Al-Zaben, the head of the Parliamentary Freedoms Committee, confirmed that the government maintains there are no political prisoners in the Kingdom. Additionally, the MPs agreed to form a temporary committee to amend the internal regulations of the parliament. This took place during a session chaired by Al-Safadi, with several government team members in attendance. During the session, the parliament continued discussing the draft amendment to the Labor Law, agreeing on a modification stipulating that if a work contract is for a fixed period, it automatically ends when its duration expires. If both parties continue to execute the contract after its expiration, it will be considered renewed for an equivalent period. The original version of the law stated that if both parties continued executing the contract after its expiration, it would automatically become an indefinite-term contract. The labor law amendment has sparked wide debate since its approval by the government. The General Union of Workers, trade unions, and civil society organizations expressed their surprise at the amendments presented by the government, viewing them as a step backward. However, they praised other amendments included in the draft law. Arab Summit During the session, MP Khamees Atteh praised the outcomes of the Arab Summit held in Cairo the day before, particularly appreciating His Majesty King Abdullah II's speech at the summit, in which he expressed Jordan's firm stance against forced displacement. The Chairman of the Palestine Committee, MP Suleiman Al-Saud, also expressed his support for the King's words, emphasizing that they reflect the views of every Jordanian citizen. Labor Law While discussing the "Labor Law Amendment," the MPs approved an amendment to Article 31, which allows employers to lay off approximately 5% of their workforce within a year, if required by economic or technical circumstances, such as downsizing or permanently ceasing operations, provided the Ministry of Labor is notified. Additionally, they approved a modification that prohibits employers from terminating the employment of women during pregnancy or maternity leave. The amendment received approval from the Parliamentary Labor Committee, whereas the original law only prohibited termination of female employees starting from the sixth month of pregnancy and during maternity leave.
