Morocco to End 12-Hour Shifts for Security Guards in Labor Reform

Agadir – Morocco is introducing a major labor reform by reducing the working hours of private security guards from 12 to 8 hours per day. The decision, announced following the April session of social dialogue on Friday.

“We have agreed today with our social partners to start the reform of reducing working hours from 12 hours to 8 hours for the benefit of guards within the framework of social dialogue,” Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills Younes Sekkouri announced. 

Sekkouri said the reform aims to correct an “injustice” that was going on for nearly two decades. 

Speaking to local media, he emphasized that the measure is part of broader efforts to enhance workers’ rights and improve labor conditions in line with national priorities.

The reform aims at restoring equality among workers who are working more than 44 hours a week.

It focuses on amending Article 197 of Law No. 65-99, which is Morocco’s Labor Code, to eliminate an exception that has enabled private security agents (under Law No. 27-06) to engage in a 12-hour working shift. 

Once implemented, the standard working day for these employees will be brought in line with the national norm of 8 hours.

Authorities plan to roll out the measure in 2027 after a transitional phase that will enable both public and private employers to adjust contracts and budgets. 

The reform is expected to affect around 400,000 workers across the country, including tens of thousands employed in key sectors such as education, healthcare, and banking.

However, this measure carries significant financial implications. Reducing working hours will require a reorganization of security services, increasing the number of shifts from two to three per day. According to the minister, this adjustment might increase the expenses for clients, both public institutions and private firms, by 40 % to 50 %.

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