Morocco will permanently return to GMT from September 20, leaving the GMT+1 zone it has applied since 2018, in a change that is expected to affect millions of citizens, businesses and the country's trade with Europe.
The decision was announced on June 25 by the head of the Moroccan government, Aziz Achanus. Based on the new regulation, the clocks will permanently turn back one hour, as the country will adopt the GMT zone, or UTC+0.
The change means Morocco will align itself with cities such as London, Dublin and Lisbon, ending a permanent summertime regime that has defined daily life in the country for almost eight years.
The Impact on Trading
The return to GMT may cause malfunctions for businesses working with European markets, as for certain periods of the year the time gap with continental European countries will widen.
Export companies, banks, call centers and other businesses with international activity may need to adjust their schedules, teleconferences and daily operations.
Changes will also be required to the timetables of planes, ships and trains, as well as to information systems and digital services based on time zones.
Smart phones and connected devices are expected to update automatically, while analogue clocks will need to be set manually.
Why GMT+1 was chosen
Morocco adopted the permanent GMT+1 time in 2018, mainly for economic reasons. The aim was to align more closely with European markets, facilitate trade and increase joint working hours with key trading partners, such as France, Spain and Germany.
The government had also argued that permanent daylight saving time would prevent disruptions from changing clocks twice a year and would help make better use of natural light.
However, during Ramadan, the country temporarily returned to GMT in order to facilitate fasting times and the daily lives of believers. After the end of the holy month, the clocks were reset to GMT+1.
This annual adjustment was often confusing for travellers, airlines and international businesses, who had to recalculate time differences.
Years of social discontent
The permanent summer time caused strong reactions from the first moment of its implementation. Citizens, parents and civil society organizations complained about dark winter mornings, student fatigue, sleep disturbances and dangers in morning commutes.
Many families argued that children were forced to wake up and go to school before sunrise, while workers reported a deterioration in work-life balance.
The government said the return to GMT was decided after repeated requests from society and many years of consultations about the impact of GMT+1 on everyday life.
The political dimension
The timing of the implementation of the decision has also provoked political discussions. The new time comes into effect on September 20, just three days before the scheduled parliamentary elections on September 23.
Observers link the government's retreat to its attempt to respond to a demand that had widespread social acceptance after years of discontent.
The benefits and considerations
With the return to GMT, sunrise will occur earlier in winter, which is expected to facilitate the morning commute of students and employees.
Some experts estimate that the change can help improve sleep, reduce fatigue, and overall improve quality of life.
However, questions remain about the economic and energy implications. Returning to GMT may slightly increase evening electricity consumption, although there is no clear evidence that permanent daylight saving time offers significant savings.
Morocco's decision, however, reflects a shift from strict economic alignment with Europe to addressing social issues that directly affect the daily lives of citizens.
