The Plundering of Western Sahara by morocco br Here is the proof that Morocco is mining the phosphates in occupied Western Sahara. br Phosphate rock from the Bou Craa mines are exported from Western Sahara in violation of international law. The mining is done by the Moroccan state phosphate company, OCP. br While this unethical and politically controversial mining is reaching unprecedented levels, the indigenous Sahrawi population in Western Sahara is suffering from serious human rights violations committed by Moroccan authorities. The majority of the population, however, has fled the country, and are currently living in reufgee camps in the Algerian desert. br f you like free, high-resolution copies of this film material, contact Western Sahara Resource Watch. Find more at a class="link" rel="nofollow" href=". br In 1968 there were 1600 Sahrawis employed in the phosphate industry in what is today occupied Western Sahara. Today, most of them have been replaced by Moroccans that have settled in the territory. The industry now only employs 200 Sahrawis of a total work force of 1900 employees. The Sahrawi employees experience discrimination relative to their Moroccan colleagues. Very few Sahrawis have been promoted since 1975, most have been sacked. br br A UN delegation that visited “Spanish Sahara in 1975, as part of the de-colonialization of the territory, stated that “eventually the territory will be among one of the largest exporters of phosphate in the world” (Shelley 2004:71). According to their assessment, a free Western Sahara would become the second largest exporter, only beaten by Morocco. However, only a few months later, Morocco invaded Western Sahara. Today, the phosphate production in Bou Craa amounts to 10 of Morocco’s total production. Bou Craa annual production is around 3 million tonnes, contributing substantially to Morocco’s national income.