By Loubna Flah
By Loubna Flah
Morocco World News
Casablanca, November 6, 2012
It is no secret that a large number of Moroccan artists, especially actresses and actors, suffer silently under the leaden weight of dire poverty and humiliation.
It is commonplace to see many actors and singers who were plagued with chronic or lethal diseases sending calls for help waiting for charity to save their lives since their meager revenues fall short from covering their living costs.
Much to their dismay, the complaints of these artists who consumed their lives in the service of art without a sustainable reward fell constantly in deaf ears.
Despite the calls for help broadcast on Moroccan TV channels and the pictures of deprived artists shared on social media, the response of the ministry of culture remained dawdling.
According to the Moroccan daily Al Massae, a group of artists spearheaded by the young actor Hafid Al Khatib issued a statement outlining a set of measures that should be enforced in order to secure a decent life for Moroccan artists.
Their demand includes the necessity to issue a contract template to be used by production companies that receive public subsidies and to enforce minimal wages for a single day of work.
In addition the statement advocates the necessity to pay actors and script writers immediately after the conclusion of artistic projects, notably those sponsored by the ministry.
In order to promote artistic endeavors, the statement proclaims the creation of artistic companies at the level of districts and city councils in addition to the revision of the scheme used to grant public subsidies to theater companies to prevent funds squandering.
The proclamation signatories call for the enforcement of the decision made by late Hassan II who promised to spare 1 percent of city councils’ budget to promote art and culture. The statement lays a great emphasis on the necessity to consolidate the concept of good governance in the management of revenues and resources invested in artistic events.
The statement calls also for the creation of the High Council for Arts in compliance with the provisions of the organic law for the audiovisual sector.
