Moroccan higher education unions announce protests over stalled reforms

Higher education unions in Morocco have announced escalating protest actions, including an ‘week of anger,’ due to a deadlock in sectoral dialogue and unresolved administrative issues.

The regional office of the National Union of Higher Education and University Campus Employees at Hassan II University, affiliated with the Confédération Démocratique du Travail, criticized the university administration for a lack of communication and delayed responses to professional files. The union has called for a national protest on September 9, 2026, in front of the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation in Rabat.

Simultaneously, the National Union of Higher Education Workers, under the Fédération Nationale de l'Enseignement (FNE), expressed frustration with the Ministry over the perceived stalling of key demands. Primary grievances include the delayed implementation of the new basic statute for higher education employees and the failure to issue the decree for a 1,000 dirham wage increase that was scheduled for July 2026.

Both unions are also demanding the removal of fees imposed on employees seeking to pursue further studies under the ‘flexible timing’ system, arguing that such costs hinder professional development and violate the principle of equal opportunity.