Moroccan labor unions stage nationwide anti-austerity strike

RABAT, Morocco – Morocco's major labor unions are staging a one-day nationwide strike in opposition to the government's austerity measures.

Wednesday's strike is against pension reforms that would increase the retirement age, as well as subsidy cuts that have contributed to rising prices for basic commodities.

Morocco's biggest labor union said the national participation rate is nearly 85 percent.

State media announced the government will meet Thursday to consider a draft law to address the country's debt, though the government made no official statement on the strike.

While general strikes are fairly infrequent in Morocco, labor unions have been mobilizing against the government more often recently, with the last general strike taking place December.