Flooding kills 28 workers at garment factory in Morocco

Heavy rains flooded an illegal garment factory in Morocco, killing at least 28 workers.

Emergency workers saved 10 people from the factory, in the basement of a residential villa in Tangier. Rescuers searched for others who might have been trapped in the sudden flooding.

The total number of labourers at the site was not immediately known and an investigation was opened.

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A shaken woman who emerged from the flooded basement told TanjaNews, a local site, that no one was prepared for the deadly deluge.

“There was nothing to worry about. We were working as usual,” the woman said. “And then because it was raining, as you can see ... the water started entering, a little water, even my shoes didn't get wet. But suddenly ..." She couldn't finish her sentence.

To meet international demand, numerous factories in Morocco, notably in Casablanca and Tangier, rely on unregulated factories to speed up production and compete with cheaper Chinese and Turkish products.

Such hidden factories are mainly located in residential areas and up to 40 people – including underage workers – often work in them.

Premier Futsal 2017 Finals

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What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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