The labour market in Casablanca
Working in Morocco can be confusing for anyone coming from European countries. As an economic capital, Casablanca is at the heart of the Moroccan labor market. Life and work here are considered stressful, but this is not particularly for the reasons we think of: people's level of involvement in their work, normal tasks that are slowed down by delays from other stakeholders, the list is growing, but these factors are part of many people's everyday life in Casablanca.
Career opportunities in Casablanca
At the beginning of 2019, Casablanca's labor market was rather restrained due to Morocco's economic situation. There may be opportunities, but it is better to identify them before going there to avoid disappointment. In Casablanca, highly qualified professionals, including young graduates, are the most likely to be unemployed.
The sectors that are still recruiting are call centers, aeronautics, automotive, offshore banking and financial services, better known as Morocco's global businesses. Despite the crisis and economic slowdown, there is still room for foreign talents who will be headhunted if they have been trained and have experience in Europe or America. Taste of exoticism or contempt for the local, the one who comes from abroad will benefit from better recognition.
Wages in Casablanca
Regarding wages, you need to take into account that income tax in Morocco is withheld at source and that salaries are negotiated on a net monthly basis. The net salary is, therefore, an amount including social security contributions and income tax. Given that the income tax rate can reach up to 38% and that it will hit you from 15,000.00 Dhs gross, you will have to negotiate. Below are some good-to-know facts:
- The Moroccan minimum wage is about 2,500.00 Dhs
- Average salaries are around 4,500.00 DHs to 5,000.00 Dhs
- According to the latest figures, expatriates are in the top 20% of employees in the country with a monthly salary of more than Dhs 7,000.00
- An average executive will earn between Dhs 15,000.00 and Dhs 20,000.00 per month
- Senior executives can earn more than 40,000.00 Dhs per month (excluding benefits like a company car, etc.).
Working hours in Casablanca
The legal working week consists of 44h30, and you may be entitled to up to 3 weeks of paid leaves per year. The pace of work may seem overwhelming, but since this applies to the whole country, you will need to adapt. It takes nine working hours per day to get time off on Saturday mornings (let's say that from 8:30 to 12:30 and from 14:30 to 19:00, over five days, it's already 42:30, so adding 2 hours is not so tricky).
The particularities of Ramadan in Morocco
During Ramadan, working schedules are subject to changes due to fasting. Since most of people no longer have breakfast for about a month, most companies move to a nonstop schedule. Standard hours are, therefore, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm or 17:00 pm without interruption. However, the Ramadan rhythm, between deprivation and fatigue, makes the afternoons rather unproductive.
Languages used at work in Casablanca
The most commonly used language for work is French. For this reason, French-speaking profiles are of great importance to the Moroccan job market. For international organizations and large companies, English is a must. Spanish is also very present, especially in customer relations jobs such as Call Centres.
You should not forget that Arabic is still the official language. Moroccan dialect Arabic (Darija) may be useful or even necessary in jobs that deal with the public. In certain sectors such as law, knowledge of classical Arabic is a strong plus, if not essential.
Main employment contracts in Casablanca
The open-ended contract (CDI)
As the name implies, this type of employment contract is concluded with no fixed period. Upon taking up the job, an employee goes through a period known as the trial period. During this period, the contract of employment can be terminated without prior notice or indemnity.
Fixed-term contract ( CDD )
The fixed-term contract (CDD) is a form of contract concluded to achieve a specific task. It is concluded only in specific cases, such as the replacement of an employee, a temporary rise in the company's activity, or if the work is of a seasonal character. The maximum duration of this kind of contract is one year, and it can be renewed only once.
Temporary employment contract (interim)
A temporary employment contract involves an employee being hired by a temporary employment agency and assigned to another company to carry out a specific, short-term task. It is a three-way relationship involving the conclusion of two contracts, one for the provision of services and the other for the mission.
Sectors that recruit the most in Casablanca
The challenges of recruitment are assessed with respect to the contract types and the sector of activity. Accordingly, the sectors that are recruiting the most and in which you're the most likely to find a job as an expat in Casablanca are listed below:
- business support;
- industry;
- construction/building and public works;
- transport and logistics;
- commerce and sales;
- customer relations;
- and information technology.
