I am currently working in Morocco. As a health and safety lawyer, I observe practices which shock me and which would rarely arise in the UK.
Morocco is a developing country with aspirations to join the European Union. If it were to join, it would be subject to EU health and safety regulations, which would mean massive societal changes.
One example of widespread disregard of basic health and safety principles is the almost total absence of segregation of vehicles and pedestrians. Road traffic is disorganised and undisciplined. This is not picturesque or charming. It is not patronising to point out that Moroccan statistics for road traffic-related deaths and injuries are truly shocking. Seat belts are rarely worn and the vast numbers of motorcyclists do not use helmets.
There are many construction sites around, for example, Marrakech. Even a perfunctory observation of these sites is shocking for a health and safety lawyer. The most basic and rudimentary safety measures are ignored.
The climate is superb, the people are charming, the scenery is dramatic. But human safety does not appear to have a high priority.