Strategy to fight begging in Morocco grows despite difficulties
Despite obstacles, the Ministry for Social Development is expanding its strategy to combat begging throughout Morocco.
By Siham Ali for Magharebia in Casablanca – 17/08/09
A Beggar and his son in Ouezzane
Tangier and Laâyoune are the latest cities to join a Moroccan government campaign against the phenomenon of begging. The programme, which began in 2007 in Casablanca, Rabat and Fez, will eventually extend to Meknès, Agadir, Oujda and Marrakech.
The initiative has encountered numerous difficulties since its launch. In the cities where it started, inhabitants say nothing has changed. There are still beggars in the streets.
Even so, more than 7,000 beggars have been arrested, according to figures from the Ministry for Social Development.
Salima Sefrioui, who works in Rabat, said there were still numerous beggars in the town centre.
"We're told the government has implemented its plan in Rabat, but we don't see any difference. Even worse, the same beggars are still there in the same old places," she said.
One pillar of the plan to reduce begging is the reintroduction of offenders into the family and into the job market. Nevertheless, few have successfully rejoined society, with the majority returning to begging.
Social Development Minister Nouzha Skelli told Magharebia that the plan has encountered problems, mainly having to do with "professional" beggars. The law needs to be changed, she said, to fight begging as a career and to limit the extent of the problem.
The minister is currently working on a stricter law that is a better fit for the actual situation in Morocco. Under current regulations, for example, even beggars arrested while in the possession of considerable sums of money do not face the penalty of confiscation.
The penal code stipulates jail terms of between one and six months for "anyone who, having the means to support themselves or able to procure them through work or any other legal means, habitually resorts to begging, wherever that may be".
Despite the complexity of the situation, Skelli added, the ministry hopes to continue its work, because "professional beggars aren't the only type, and the strategy should include a comprehensive social approach based on the reintegration of beggars into society".
Local authorities are expected to support the programme with funding and follow-up. The launch in each new city requires considerable effort; some first steps include building a centre to accommodate beggars involved in the programme, recruiting adequate numbers of staff and buying cars for social workers.
In Tangiers alone, where the plan was launched on July 24th, the establishment of an accommodation centre required 2.3 million dirhams, 1.3 million of which were provided by the ministry.
Fatima Moustaghfir, an MP, told Magharebia that the government's strategy to combat begging is not enough on its own. The primary responsibility, she said, should lie with local councillors, who should ensure the commune's budget is properly managed to provide work.
There is much ground to be made up in certain sectors to combat unemployment and begging, Moustaghfir continued. Fields such as gardening and cleaning "could take on thousands of people", she said.
Sociologist Samira Kassimi blames the persistence of begging in Morocco on urbanisation and the resulting unemployment. "Some think begging is an easy way to make a living and so they have made a career out of it," she said.
Begging also leads to other problems, Kassimi said, including the exploitation of children and threatening behaviour toward the people accosted for a handout.
Others fear the economic impact beggars may have on the nation. Hamza Boundouki, who manages a snack bar in Casablanca, stated that beggars tarnish the image of tourism in Morocco. He said the state should punish professional beggars, but provide help for those who are genuinely in need.