Chemical leak at Kenitra plant raises safety concerns

The incident in Kenitra, in which a suspected gas leak at a chemical plant resulted in mass asphyxiation among workers, necessitating the hospitalization of several employees, has raised concerns about the safety measures in place in Morocco’s industrial zones. The incident in Kenitra represents the most recent occurrence in a sequence of accidents in the workplace within the region. According to a statement issued by Adil Chikito, president of the Moroccan League for Human Rights, these incidents can be attributed to three key factors. Firstly, there is a deficiency in the oversight provided by inspection bodies. Secondly, there is an overemphasis on the pursuit of profit, which is prioritised over the well-being of workers. Thirdly, there is a lack of accountability on the part of employers. This can be considered as a systematic neglect of essential safety protocols. As posited by civic activist Abdelwahid Ziyat, the Kenitra incident has exposed the dearth of an efficacious workplace prevention system, particularly within small and medium-sized enterprises. This has led to a call for reforming legislation about compensation for work-related injuries and greater integration of occupational medicine into corporate practices.