The Moroccan government has decided to further increase funding for public services to narrow social disparities amid unprecedented protests.

Significant budget will be allocated to education, health services and support for vulnerable social segments, according to Morocco's 2019 draft budget, presented by the Minister of Economy and Finance Mohamed Benchaaboun to the parliament on Monday.

The government plans to invest 6.8 billion U.S. dollars in education in 2019, a hike of 540 million dollars compared with 2018, and 1.63 billion in health, an increase of 160 million dollars compared to this year.

It also envisages spending of 1.76 billion dollars on subsidies of wheat, cooking gas and sugar, up 465 million dollars from 2018.

The budget draft also includes a rise in public employment with the creation of 40,248 jobs.

As for the macroeconomic goals, the government aims to narrow deficit from the expected 3.8 percent this year to 3.3 percent next year.

The focus on social programs aims to meet pressing social demands that have turned into widespread protests since 2016.

In October 2016, the death of the fish vendor Mouhcine Fikri, who was crushed by a rubbish lorry when he climbed into the vehicle to retrieve his swordfish confiscated by police, sparked a year-long protest.

In December 2017, another wave of protests rocked the eastern city of Jerada after three miners were killed while digging in abandoned mines.

Protests in the city, which has long relied on mining activities, called for justice for the dead and demanded job opportunities and "economic alternatives."

In addition to major protest movements, the country also saw protests against lack of enough social services especially in remote towns far from the capital Rabat.

In response, the Moroccan King Mohammed VI urged earlier this month the establishment of a new economic development model in the North African country.

In a speech at the opening of the first session of the legislative year, the king said the new model should help the country reduce gaps and disparities, achieve social justice and keep up with changes home and abroad.

According to the king, a special committee will be set up to collect proposals and draw conclusions with options for change and solid implementation.