Moroccans Renew Push to Scrap Daylight Saving Time

As Morocco gets ready to revert to GMT+1, residents are increasingly urging an end to daylight savings time (DST) and have appealed directly to King Mohammed VI for his intervention.

Many believe that the government's persistence in keeping the extra hour goes against the rising dissent from both the public and civil society.

Users of social media platforms have expressed their dissatisfaction, with several calling upon the monarch to "rescue" them from Daylight Saving Time (DST). Additionally, civil groups such as the Moroccan Alliance for Youth Civil Coalition have become part of this protest, criticizing the policy as a continuous infringement on people’s quality of life, especially during non-summer periods.

The group appealed to officials to implement standardized time throughout the year or restrict Daylight Saving Time (DST) solely to the summertime. They also requested that the Economic, Social, and Environmental Council, along with the Ministry of Health and the National Human Rights Council, carry out an extensive examination into how DST affects people's well-being and mental health. Furthermore, they asked Parliament to evaluate the policy’s broader implications.

Ilham Belfelahi, who serves as the secretary-general of the coalition, pointed out that calls from the public to eliminate Daylight Saving Time (DST) have been ongoing for many years. She expressed frustration with the government's reluctance to participate in substantial discussions about this matter, stating that their rationale—to increase investments and save energy—is not substantiated.

Abdelilah Khoudri, who leads the Moroccan Center for Human Rights, voiced similar worries, stating that the government’s failure to rescind DST indicates a lack of strength. He highlighted the detrimental impact of this policy, especially on students and employees, and called for royal involvement to resolve the issue.

Since Morocco made GMT+1 its permanent time zone in 2018, the choice has sparked ongoing debate. Proponents claim it brings economic advantages, but opponents contend that it interferes with natural sleep patterns, raises stress levels, and fails to demonstrate substantial financial gains. As calls for reassessment intensify, particularly amid Europe’s move away from perpetual Daylight Saving Time because of negative consequences, the controversy shows no signs of abating.

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