PAM affiliate and current member of the House of Councillors, Mohamed El Hamidi, stated that the Ministry of Tourism, Handicraft, Air Transport and Social Economy, is required to provide assistance to craftsmen, by compensating them for losses resulting from the stagnation of the handicraft sector in light of the Corona pandemic.
Handicrafts play a fundamental role in Morocco’s economic and social development, El Hamidi said, during the oral questioning session held on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, highlighting that, before the epidemic outbreak, handicrafts contributed to employing a wide range of workers, including the youth, playing a significant role in reducing internal migration and achieving a kind of social stability, especially in areas where such industry covers large grounds.
Most craftsmen have lost their jobs; therefore, they’ve been enduring a critical financial situation, especially in light of Morocco’s current circumstances due to the Corona epidemic, El Hamidi added, noting that the ministry in charge reported false numbers claiming that more than 64 percent of craftsmen have benefited from the financial support provided by the Corona Pandemic Fund, while reality stipulates that the actual number of beneficiaries did not exceed 15%.