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Population
Western Sahara has about 600,000 inhabitants (estimated in 2023), mainly Sahrawis, who live in the Moroccan-controlled cities and in refugee camps in Algeria. The population density is very low due to the desert landscape.
Capital
The capital of Western Sahara is disputed. The Moroccan-controlled city of El Aaiún (Laayoune) is considered the capital of the region, while the Polisario Front refers to Bir Lehlou as the provisional capital of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).
Economic Power
The economy in Western Sahara is largely shaped by Moroccan interests. Key industries include phosphate mining, fishing, and mining. Agriculture is limited due to the desert conditions. The region’s economic output is relatively low, and it heavily depends on financial support from Morocco. In areas controlled by the Polisario Front, the economy mainly relies on international aid.
Culture
The culture of the Sahrawis is heavily influenced by nomadic traditions, the Arabic language, and Islam. Traditional music, poetry, and crafts play an important role. The culture is also shaped by decades of political uncertainty and life in refugee camps.
Currency
In the Moroccan-controlled areas, the Moroccan Dirham (MAD) is used. In the Polisario-controlled areas and refugee camps in Algeria, there is no unified currency, and the Algerian Dinar (DZD) or other currencies are often used.
Health Insurance and Social Security System
There is no unified health insurance system in Western Sahara. In the Moroccan-controlled areas, the Moroccan health and social insurance system applies. In the Polisario-controlled areas, healthcare is heavily dependent on international aid, and there is no regulated health insurance.
Costs for Employers
In the Moroccan-controlled areas, employers must contribute to the Moroccan social security system, similar to the system in Morocco itself. In the Polisario-controlled areas, there are no formal employer costs in the traditional sense, as the economy is often informal or supported by aid organizations.
Salaries and Bonuses
Salaries in Western Sahara vary greatly depending on whether one works in the Moroccan-controlled cities or the Polisario-controlled areas. In the Moroccan-controlled areas, Moroccan wage standards apply. In the Polisario-controlled areas, incomes are often supported by international aid organizations or are informal.
Payroll
In the Moroccan-controlled areas, Moroccan regulations for payroll apply, including taxes and social security contributions. In the Polisario-controlled areas, the concept of formal payroll is less relevant, as formal employment relationships are rare.
Public Holidays
Public holidays in the Moroccan-controlled areas are the same as those in Morocco, including Islamic holidays and national holidays such as Throne Day. In the Polisario-controlled areas, Islamic holidays and commemorative days of the SADR are celebrated.
Working Hours
In the Moroccan-controlled areas, Moroccan labor laws apply, with a typical workweek of 44 hours. In the Polisario-controlled areas, there are no unified regulations, as work is often informal or organized on a volunteer basis.
Vacation
In the Moroccan-controlled areas, Morocco’s vacation regulations apply, with a minimum of 18 paid vacation days per year. In the Polisario-controlled areas, there are no formal vacation regulations.
Incapacity for Work
In the Moroccan-controlled areas, the Moroccan system for sick pay and incapacity for work applies. In the Polisario-controlled areas, support in the event of illness relies heavily on international aid and informal networks.
Termination/Severance Pay
In the Moroccan-controlled areas, Moroccan labor laws apply, governing notice periods and severance pay. In the Polisario-controlled areas, there are no formal employment relationships, so termination and severance pay are often not regulated.