USFP-FDT: union activists step into the spotlight before elections

As Morocco’s next elections approach, the USFP FDT union has decided to fully step into the spotlight and weigh in on the campaign, a move worth watching for Moroccans living abroad who keep a close political link with home.

The FDT asserts its political identity

During a national meeting of USFP union cadres held on Sunday, leaders of the Democratic Labour Federation (FDT) clearly reaffirmed their anchoring within the Socialist Union of Popular Forces.

The gathering brought together the party’s First Secretary, Driss Lachgar, senior party officials and union leaders. Addressing several hundred activists, FDT Secretary General Youssef Aidi, who also sits on the USFP political bureau, said that union members could “bring a lot” to their party in the upcoming vote.

For Moroccans abroad following political developments from a distance, this repositioning sheds light on how parties and unions align, and on who will influence future decisions on social legislation, employment and the business climate in Morocco.

End of a phase of doubt inside the USFP FDT union

Youssef Aidi referred to a difficult chapter he described as a time of doubt within both the party structures and its union arm.

He recalled “several setbacks” suffered in recent years by the party, its sectoral organisations and internal structures. These difficulties shook the confidence of part of the grassroots and pushed some militants to the sidelines.

According to the union leader, the situation went so far that many activists in various sectors were afraid to publicly state their party affiliation. “We did not have the courage to proclaim our belonging to the party,” he admitted in front of the assembled cadres.

This climate hurt the visibility of the USFP FDT union in workplaces and public administrations, even as social issues remain central to family concerns, including for those who split their lives between Morocco and another country.

Rebuilding since the federation’s 4th congress

The Secretary General said a rebuilding effort has been under way since the FDT’s fourth congress. He described progress driven with “clarity, vision and sincerity”, relying on activists and backed by the USFP First Secretary.

According to him, this renewed dynamic has allowed:

• successful provincial congresses across the federation;
• a gradual rebuilding of trust among members;
• a stronger and more structured organisation.

For Moroccans abroad considering a professional return or an investment project in Morocco, the reliability of social partners matters. A union that is reorganising and clearly stating its political colour can influence wage bargaining, the protection of formal jobs and, more broadly, the stability of social dialogue.

A message to the base and to voters

“We are ittihadis and we say it with pride,” Aidi declared, arguing that the USFP has never been accused of “selling off or bargaining away the interests of the Moroccan people or the middle class”.

This message seeks to reassure a base sometimes unsettled by recent political and social shifts. It is also aimed at voters, both in Morocco and among those who still vote in the country, to affirm that the party-union tandem remains a credible actor in defending social rights.

For Moroccans abroad, tracking these signals helps clarify which forces will shape issues that affect them indirectly: working conditions in case of return, purchasing power of families back home, or the social climate in the cities where they invest.

The coming elections will show whether this public assertion of union backing within the USFP translates into electoral gains or greater influence over social policies. The first decisions of the next term will be closely watched by a transnational Moroccan community that cares about institutional stability as much as about the quality of public services.

Useful references for Moroccans abroad

In this context, Moroccans living outside the country may find it helpful to keep at hand:

• up-to-date official information on their rights and procedures via the dedicated online portal;
• practical guides on administrative steps and projects in Morocco, including Canal212’s guide on key procedures for Moroccans abroad;
• regular monitoring of political and union news, in order to anticipate social developments in the country.

These elements can help secure a return project, an investment or simply strong and lasting ties with Morocco.

For more context, readers can follow Canal212 news for Moroccans abroad.