Workers in Morocco have denounced efforts by a Peugeot Citroen factory to force union leaders to resign from the Moroccan Labour Union (UMT) or lose their jobs. One union leader has already been fired, according to the union.
In February 2021, factory management forced 11 unionists to sign resignation letters after forcing them to spend three hours behind closed doors, where union leaders say they were subjected to questioning and harassment that seriously injured one worker.
UMT leaders have called for intervention by the local authorities and for solidarity with unions across Morocco.
Recently Peugeot Citroen workers had protested the non-payment of overtime at the factory and waged a strike earlier in 2021 at the plant in Kenitra, on Morocco’s northwestern coast. In 2019, Peugeot SA recorded more than $US4 billion in profits.
The General Confederation of Labour (CGT) in France, which represents workers at Peugeot, supported the workers’ strike in Kenitra and vowed to assist them in their current struggle.
Union leaders awaited announcement on the status of workers who were forced to sign resignation letters.
