The right is exercised widely but not universally. About six percent of Morocco's nine million workers are unionized, mostly in the public sector. The unions are not completely free from government interference. Narrowly focused strikes continue to occur, although strikers have encountered police harassment and arrest. Work stoppages are normally intended to advertise grievances and last 48-72 hours.
Unions maintain ties to international trade secretariats.
Observance of labor laws in larger companies and in the public sector is more consistent. The laws governing collective bargaining are inadequate. Collective bargaining has been a long-standing tradition in some parts of the economy, notably heavy industry, but the practice is not spreading to the service sector. A 1996 social dialogue between labor, government and management resulted in an agreement for a 10 percent pay raise, increased money for housing construction and an understanding to continue such tripartite discussions. Some of the provisions of this agreement have not yet been implemented.