Moroccan Oil Workers Plan Sit-In, Demanding Revival of SAMIR Refinery
Workers at the shuttered SAMIR oil refinery in Mohammedia, Morocco, are planning a sit-in on November 8th to demand the revival of the facility and the protection of worker and retiree rights. The planned demonstration comes after years of struggle for the former employees of the refinery, which was once responsible for a significant portion of Morocco’s domestic oil production.
The Unified Trade Union Office at SAMIR, affiliated with the Democratic Confederation of Labour, announced the sit-in following a series of protests. They cite the dire situation at SAMIR, which has been idle for nine years, as the driving force behind their actions.
The union has been a vocal critic of what they perceive as government inaction and disregard for the plight of SAMIR workers and the national interest. They argue that the Moroccan government has a responsibility to intervene and help revive the refinery, especially given the current global energy landscape.
The closure of SAMIR has had a significant impact on Morocco’s energy security. Before its closure in 2015, the refinery was capable of meeting approximately 70% of Morocco’s domestic demand for petroleum products. Since then, the country has become increasingly reliant on energy imports, leaving it vulnerable to global price fluctuations and supply chain disruptions.
The union believes that reviving SAMIR is not only crucial for the livelihoods of its former employees but also for bolstering Morocco’s energy independence. They have proposed several solutions, including:
Transferring ownership of SAMIR to the state through debt-for-equity swaps. This would allow the government to take control of the refinery and potentially invest in its modernization and restart.
Encouraging private sector investment in the refinery. This could involve offering incentives to potential buyers or creating a public-private partnership to share the risks and rewards of reviving SAMIR.
* Implementing a worker-led management model. This approach would see the government, as the primary creditor, collaborating with workers and major creditors to restart operations.
The union has also criticized the handling of worker and retiree rights during the liquidation process. They are demanding that all workers receive their full entitlements as outlined in the collective bargaining agreement, including priority consideration for any future employment opportunities at the refinery.
The planned sit-in highlights the ongoing struggle of SAMIR workers and the urgent need for a solution that addresses both their needs and Morocco’s energy security concerns. The outcome of the demonstration and the government’s response will be crucial in determining the future of the refinery and its impact on the Moroccan economy.
