HIBAPRESS – Mohamed Zerih
The city of Nador hosted, on Sunday, October 18, 2026, a regional union meeting with the participation of leaders from the Moroccan Workers' Union (UMT) in the Oriental region, and representatives of local unions, federations, national unions, and parallel organizations. The meeting was dedicated to studying the developments of the social dispute within the company "AEOLON" (AEOLON RENEWABLE ENERGY MOROCCO), located in the industrial zone adjacent to the Nador West Med port, in light of escalating union demands for the protection of union freedoms and the guarantee of workers' rights.
This meeting came in the context of the dismissal of the Secretary-General of the company's union office, along with the summoning of his deputy for questioning. These developments have raised union concerns about the conditions for practicing trade unionism within the institution. Participants discussed the various stages of this case and the procedures previously taken, including corresponding with the competent authorities and organizing warning protest actions, with the aim of pushing for the resolution of the dispute and responding to the demands.
The meeting witnessed interventions from representatives of the regional unions of Nador and Driouch, alongside the representative of the company's union office and a number of union officials. They emphasized the necessity of respecting the right to union organization and preserving the dignity of employees, affirming the readiness of the various structures of the Moroccan Workers' Union in the region to unite their efforts and advocate for an end to what they consider to be restrictions on union work within the company.
According to the meeting's conclusions, it was decided to move towards a unified regional struggle program, which includes organizing solidarity convoys, marches, and protest vigils, as well as other protest actions. The task of setting dates and implementation mechanisms was delegated to the regional unions of Nador and Driouch, according to the developments of the case and the requirements of coordination among the various union components. This program, according to the information presented during the meeting, aims to pressure for the reinstatement of the union office's Secretary-General to his job and to stop any practices that would infringe upon union freedoms and workers' rights.
This union dispute brings to the forefront the debate regarding the need to reconcile attracting industrial investments in the region with ensuring respect for social rights and labor relations legislation. While awaiting the outcomes of the expected actions, attention is drawn to the extent of the management of "AEOLON" company's response to the union demands, at a time when the leaders of the Moroccan Workers' Union affirm their determination to continue mobilization and coordination to defend the rights of employees, while keeping all protest options open.
