Moroccans not only want more social justice - they want their government to make it its top priority, according to a recent poll by Economiste-Telemark group.
Jobs, health, fighting corruption, law reform, and reducing the
cost of living all come at the top of the aspirations of the
Moroccan people, according to the poll.
Worsening poverty and the ever-growing social gaps moved the
citizens to rank social justice as the field that the government
should tackle most vigorously, says analyst Mohamed Rafik.
Some 93 per cent of the 1,000 people polled want to see more power
given to the social departments. Some 98 per cent of the poll group
say Moroccans seriously lack social protection.
Most believe that an economic take-off is the only way to generate
jobs and improve the population's lot.
Living condition figures show that some 19 percent of Morocco's
28 -million people are jobless, and 13.1 per cent of them live under
the national poverty line of US$1 a day. ]
Moroccans demand that the government take bold measures to reduce
public expenditure and abolish advantages granted to senior
officials, who drive state cars with fuel paid by the tax-payers.
Corruption in public administration and heavy bureaucracy also top
the concerns of the citizens. "Suppressing corruption and the
reform of administration are the changes that Moroccans are longing
for," says Mohamed Rafik.
Morocco is ruled by a center-left coalition led by Socialist Prime
Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi. The appointment of the government
in 1998 triggered great hopes for change after more than 40 years
of right-wing rule. –(Albawaba-MEBG)
© 2000 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
