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Moroccan labour unions stage nationwide anti-austerity strike

RABAT, Morocco – Morocco’s major labour unions are staging a one-day nationwide strike in opposition to the government’s austerity measures.

Wednesday’s strike is against pension reforms that would increase the retirement age, as well as subsidy cuts that have contributed to rising prices for basic commodities.

Morocco’s biggest labour union said the national participation rate is nearly 85 per cent.

State media announced the government will meet Thursday to consider a draft law to address the country’s debt, though the government made no official statement on the strike.

While general strikes are fairly infrequent in Morocco, labour unions have been mobilizing against the government more often recently, with the last general strike taking place December.