On June 15, 2026, the parliamentary group of the Justice and Development Party (PJD) in Morocco's House of Representatives submitted a legislative proposal to amend the Labor Code, aiming to strengthen legal and social protections for working women. The bill proposes extending paid maternity leave from the current 14 weeks to 20 weeks, in line with International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 183, which recommends a minimum of 14 weeks but encourages longer periods.
The proposal also includes measures to prohibit the dismissal of pregnant women during pregnancy and maternity leave, and to guarantee the right to return to the same or an equivalent position after leave. According to the PJD, the current 14-week leave is insufficient for proper maternal and infant health, and the extension would bring Morocco closer to international standards adopted by many countries in the region.
As of June 17, 2026, the bill has been referred to the relevant parliamentary committees for review. No date for a plenary vote has been set. The proposal has sparked debate among political parties and labor unions, with some supporting the extension and others raising concerns about potential costs for employers, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.
