Labour Law in Morocco: Compliance Guide for Foreign Employers

Employment Contracts

Morocco recognises two contract types: CDI (indefinite-term, the default) and CDD (fixed-term, only for replacing absent employees, temporary workload increases, seasonal work, or new establishments in first year). A CDD cannot fill a permanent position — successive CDDs may be recharacterised as CDI by courts.

Working Hours and Overtime

Standard week: 44 hours. Daily maximum: 10 hours. Weekly rest: 24 consecutive hours. Overtime premium: 25% (6:00–21:00), 50% (night/21:00–6:00), 50–100% (weekends). Employers must maintain accurate hours records.

Minimum Wage

SMIG applies to industrial, commercial, and service sectors. SMAG applies to agriculture. Seniority premium (prime d’ancienneté) is mandatory, calculated as % of base salary rising with years of service.

Social Security (CNSS)

Mandatory registration for all employers. Employer/employee contribution rates: social allocations 6.40%/0%, long-term benefits 7.93%/3.96%, AMO health insurance 4.11%/2.26%, professional training tax 1.6%/0%. Contributions declared and paid monthly.

Work Permits for Foreign Employees

Work permit (autorisation de travail) required from Ministry of Labour via ANAPEC. Labour market test applies. Processing: 4–8 weeks. Gérants who are also shareholders may be exempt. Start process well in advance of start date.

Termination and Severance

Notice periods: 8 days to 2 months depending on seniority and category. Dismissal for faute grave: no notice/severance. For other dismissals: severance = 96 hours/year (years 1–5), 144 hours/year (years 6–10), 192 hours/year (years 11–15), 240 hours/year (15+). Wrongful dismissal: damages up to 1.5 months’ salary per year, capped at 36 months.

Compliance Checklist

☐ Written contracts for all employees ☐ CNSS registration + monthly contributions ☐ Working hours tracked, overtime compensated ☐ SMIG/SMAG compliance verified ☐ Work permits obtained before start date ☐ Règlement intérieur if 10+ employees ☐ Employee representatives elected if 10+ employees ☐ Annual leave (18 days minimum) tracked

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