The Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) has officially called for a “zero tolerance” policy toward child labor in Morocco, specifically targeting the employment of minors under the age of 16. In a recent advisory report, the Council advocates for an integrated, territorial-based public policy to address the structural causes of the issue, including poverty, school dropouts, and the expansion of the informal economy.
Progress and Current Statistics
Morocco has seen a significant decline in child labor. According to the president of the CESE, Abdelkader Amara, the number of children aged 7 to 17 engaged in economic activity dropped from 517.000 in 1999 to approximately 101.000 in 2024, a reduction of more than 80%. These gains are attributed to legislative, institutional, and strategic reforms enacted under the Hautes Orientations of Sa Majesté le Roi Mohammed VI.
Despite these improvements, the Council notes that dangerous work, domestic labor, and organized begging persist. Data presented by CESE member Karima Mkika indicates that 87% of working children are currently out of school, with 70% of these minors working in the agricultural sector in rural areas. Furthermore, the Council has identified human trafficking as a severe form of exploitation, noting that 102 such cases were recorded nationally in 2025, involving 93 identified minor victims.
Did You Know?
The CESE’s recent recommendations are informed by a public consultation via the “Ouchariko” digital platform, which gathered 1.540 responses emphasizing the need for direct economic support for vulnerable families.
Proposed Policy Reforms
To address the remaining instances of child labor, the CESE has outlined a five-point strategy. This vision focuses on strengthening territorial governance, ensuring the effective application of existing laws, providing social support to vulnerable households, and creating better bridges between education and vocational training.
The Council explicitly recommends raising the legal minimum age for employment to 16. Other proposed measures include modernizing labor inspections through data analysis, conditioning social aid on school attendance, and establishing a formal legal status for apprentices aged 16 to 18 to ensure they receive proper social protection and supervision.
Expert Insight:
The shift toward “zero tolerance” represents a transition from broad regulatory frameworks to targeted, data-driven enforcement. By linking social benefits directly to school retention and formalizing apprenticeship protections, the CESE is attempting to bridge the gap between rural economic necessity and the legal rights of minors, though the success of these measures will likely hinge on the coordination between the CESE and the National Observatory for Children’s Rights (ONDE), which signed a partnership agreement on March 30.
What May Happen Next
Following the presentation of this advisory report, the government may move to integrate these recommendations into national labor legislation. A possible next step involves the implementation of the proposed coordination mechanism between the CESE and the ONDE to monitor progress at the territorial level. Analysts may expect increased scrutiny of agricultural labor markets and the informal economy as authorities work to align local practices with the proposed 16-year minimum age requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary recommendation of the CESE regarding the legal age for work?
The CESE recommends raising the legal minimum age for access to employment to 16 years.
Which sectors are most affected by child labor in Morocco?
The agricultural sector in rural areas accounts for 70% of children engaged in economic activity.
How does the CESE plan to address the economic drivers of child labor?
The Council proposes conditioning a portion of social aid on school attendance and providing targeted support to families in precarious economic situations.
How might these proposed legislative changes impact the daily lives of families in rural agricultural communities?
Related reading