From the setting of Alfred Hitchcock's The Man Who Knew Too Much to fortresses featured throughout Game of Thrones, Morocco is home to many remarkable cinematic landscapes.
No wonder. The village of Ait-Ben-Haddou — a key location in Game of Thrones, Season 3 — is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And the architecture that surely drew Hitchcock's eye to Marrakech dates back to the Berber Empire.
In addition to its scenic beauty, the country is home to a wealth of skilled homegrown talent eager for the opportunity to work for international companies as remote employees.
Key takeaways:
- The government in Morocco is investing in tech and infrastructure.
- Morocco's working hours overlap with workdays in North America, South America, and Europe.
- Many young Moroccans possess the necessary skills for remote customer service and personal assistant positions.
Advantages of Hiring in Morocco
You've probably heard the phrase, "timing is the key to success." Well, for businesses seeking remote talent in Morocco, it's often the "time zone" that holds the key.
That's because working hours in Morocco align with Central European Time (CET) — making it easy for full-time employees and freelancers to collaborate with team members across North America, South America, and Europe.
Ready to learn more? Here are some quick facts about Morocco:
- Languages: Arabic, Berber
- Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD)
- Capital City: Rabat
- Population: 37.8 Million
- Cost of Living Rank: 111th
Expanding Investment and Strengthening Education
Morocco is incentivizing the growth of its tech sector by supporting Moroccans who return to the country after an international move.
Such financial backing is part of an overall effort by the government to boost economic stability and strengthen an already stable political environment.
While Morocco continues strengthening its domestic technological infrastructure, tech services already account for a significant share of its exports. A highly educated younger generation further fuels this growth.
Some common remote job sectors in Morocco include:
- Customer Support
- Virtual Assistant
- Tech Support
- Language Instructor
- Sales
- Marketing
Employment Laws: Hiring Compliantly in Morocco
Employment Contracts
Under Moroccan labor laws, employment contracts allow for both fixed-term and indefinite employment, as well as agreements for specific independent tasks.
Working Hours & Pay
The minimum wage in Morocco varies depending on an employee's job. However, wages are on the rise for workers across the three main employment sectors — private, public, and agriculture.
As of January 2025, Morocco's monthly Guaranteed Interprofessional Minimum Wage (SMIG) is MAD 3,266.55.
Standard workweeks are 44 hours long, with overtime paid at a rate of between 125% to 200% of a worker's standard wage.
While there is no law stipulating that employees are entitled to a 13th-month salary, it's common for employers to pay either an annual 13th-month or seniority bonus.
Probation Periods
In Morocco, probationary periods can last anywhere from 15 days to three months and may be renewed once.
Employer Taxes
Employers must pay a percentage of employee salaries in payroll taxes, typically ranging from 22.21% to 25.71%, to support social services, including:
- Family Allocation
- Social Allocation/Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Professional Training Tax
- Social Solidarity
Termination Process & Severance Pay
Employment contracts in Morocco can be legally terminated when there is just cause, which includes fraud, negligence, or other significant work-related offenses.
The required notice period varies depending on the employee's service length and professional status. Generally, non-executive staff are subject to notice periods ranging from approximately eight days to two months, while executive staff are entitled to notice periods of one to three months.
Employees with at least six months of service are typically entitled to severance pay, which is based on the length of the employee's tenure. However, employees dismissed for serious misconduct may forfeit their entitlement to severance pay.
Paid Leave Laws in Morocco
Vacation and Holiday
Employees in Morocco earn up to 18 days of paid annual leave. Additionally, there are several paid public holidays observed in Morocco, including:
- Islamic New Year
- Feast of the Throne
- Anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People
- The Prophet Muhammad's Birthday
- Independence Day
Sick Leave
Employees are entitled to four days of sick leave per year. Some or all of this leave may be taken in half-day increments. Employees must provide documentation to justify leave lasting longer than four days, and they may be asked to resign if they take more than 180 consecutive days of sick leave in one year.
Maternity Leave
Pregnant employees are entitled to 14 weeks of fully paid maternity leave, which is typically split into seven weeks taken before the due date and seven weeks after, as well as up to one year of additional unpaid leave.
Paternity Leave
Eligible employees are entitled to three days of paternity leave with full pay.
Why Digital Nomads Love Morocco
Many digital nomads are drawn to Morocco for its culture and affordability. And while the cost of living is among the highest in Africa, it's lower than in many other countries.
Although Morocco doesn't offer a digital nomad visa, remote workers who want to work for an extended period in the country may qualify for the carte de sejour. This residency card is valid for one year and may potentially be renewed for one, five, or 10 years.
Many nomads opt for Marrakech, Rabat, Taghazout, or Essaouira as their remote base due to reliable internet access and multiple coworking spaces.
How to Pay Remote Workers in Morocco
Employers paying remote talent in Morocco have a range of options. Bank transfers are secure but slow. PayPal, Wise, and other digital platforms allow employees to access money quickly but may be more susceptible to fraud.
Choosing the best payment methods for full-time employees and contractors in Morocco can be complex. An Employer of Record (EOR)can streamline the process by handling all the administrative ins and outs of global payroll.
Hire in Morocco with RemoFirst
As an EOR, RemoFirst enables companies to hire and pay global talent in more than 185 countries, including Morocco, by acting as the legal employer for your international employees.
That means we handle all local employment law compliance, international payroll, taxes, employee benefits administration, onboarding, and more.
RemoFirst can also help you compliantly manage and pay independent contractors in 150+ countries.
Book a demo today to learn more about how RemoFirst can streamline your global employment hiring process.
