Moroccan artists' medical coverage reinstated

19/12/2006

Moroccan artists have gained medical insurance under a new deal that envisages extending the benefit to the entire sector.

By Sarah Touarhi for Magharebia in Rabat -- 19/12/06

[Sarah Touahri] Prime Minister Driss Jettou (centre) and Culture Minister Mohamed Al Achaari attend the ceremony to launch the medical coverage at the Mohamed V theatre in Rabat on December 14th.

Under a new arrangement, medical insurance coverage for Moroccan artists has been reinstated. The beginning deal covers some 700 artists, and envisages coverage being extended to all professionals in the sector. Half of the beneficiaries are married and have children -- priority has been given to artists who make a living from their art and have no other insurance.

The first beneficiaries started receiving insurance payouts last week. This health coverage is available to all artists in all spheres -- whether they belong to the Moroccan cultural coalition, other unions or associations, or have no affiliation. The cost of the operation is 4m dirhams, which has been funded by the culture ministry. Annual premiums will be paid by the artists.

The coverage will expand in the years ahead to allow non-insured artists to benefit from health coverage and life insurance. This requires all artists’ names and ages to be collected so that their enrolment form can be completed. Prime Minister Driss Jettou indicated that the government was working to make this scheme generally available as quickly as possible.

The implementation of the medical cover scheme for artists represents a recognition of artists and creative activities. This will promote artistic production and cultural events and put a cultural industry in place.

Moroccan culture and arts coalition President Hassan Nafali says the introduction of medical cover for artists is the fruit of a collective effort. The government is facing calls to enter into consultation with the artists with a view to creating a support fund which will be financed by the artists themselves.

Actor Mohamed Bestaoui says that the Moroccan artist has suffered a lot; medical cover is a dream which has just come true.

Moroccan union of musical professions President Ahmed Alaoui says the introduction of medical coverage is a historic step in the history of the arts in Morocco. "These same artists who have given so much and sacrificed themselves body and soul for this country. There are even those who have died with their hearts full of pain and sadness."

Health insurance is the first stage in implementing the law bestowing artist status, Abdelouahed Benyoussef, president of the social affairs commission within the Moroccan union of musical professions, said. "Now that medical coverage is up and running, we only need the artist’s card, already passed by the government council, which just needs to appear on the official bulletin."

Alaoui says the card will allow the artistic sector, which for many years was left to its own devices, to be organised and regularised.