Morocco: A Strike Turns Deadly

When bus drivers in Fez joined a nationwide general strike called by Morocco's two major labor unions earlier this month, government officials thought they had a simple remedy: they put soldiers and police officers behind the wheel.

That proved unwise. First, a group of youths began to stone the strikebreakers; then the violence escalated. An angry mob of 20,000 -- mostly unemployed young people -- went on a rampage. They ransacked and set fire to the five-star Hotel Merenids, torched limousines, looted boutiques and banks. Soon disturbances spread to several other towns, including the capital, Rabat. Some witnesses reported that police fired submachine guns into crowds. Authorities say five people died; union leaders put the toll at more than 30.

Last week government officials attempted to calm emotions with a promise of unspecified increases in wages and improved social benefits. Morocco's ills, however, are not easily fixed. Under an austerity program drawn up by the badly indebted country, only 15,210 new jobs will be created next year -- meager pickings for the 350,000 young Moroccans who will enter the labor market.