The Ghost of Samir Refinery: Workers Rally for Revival
The once-mighty Samir Refinery, Morocco’s sole oil refinery, has been eerily silent since 2015. Despite reaching the “appeal” stage in an international arbitration process with the World Bank Group’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, the future remains bleak. Now, workers are taking a stand.
The Democratic Confederation of Labour at Samir, represented by its unified union under the banner of the “National Union of Petroleum and Gas Industry,” has announced a sit-in protest. Scheduled for the first week of November 2024, this demonstration is a desperate plea to save the refinery from complete dilapidation.
This action follows a series of protests and initiatives aimed at engaging relevant authorities, both before and after the court ruling for liquidation. The decision, announced after a union meeting in Mohammedia, highlights the urgency of the situation. Workers plan to gather on Friday, November 8th, 2024, within the Samir facility in Mohammedia.
The closure of Samir has had a significant impact on Morocco’s energy landscape. Once responsible for meeting a substantial portion of the nation’s fuel needs, the country now relies heavily on imports. This dependence on foreign oil has left Morocco vulnerable to global price fluctuations and supply chain disruptions, impacting both the economy and everyday citizens.
The situation at Samir is not unique. The global energy transition towards renewables has put pressure on traditional oil refineries worldwide. However, the lack of a clear strategy for Samir, including potential modernization or repurposing, has exacerbated the situation.
The upcoming protest underscores the human cost of this industrial stalemate. For the workers, it’s not just about lost jobs but also about the loss of expertise and a vital industry in Morocco. Their struggle reflects a larger global challenge: how to navigate the complex transition to a sustainable energy future while ensuring the well-being of communities dependent on traditional industries..parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
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