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COVID is The Knockout Punch for Moroccan Artisans

Published June 8th, 2020 - 07:14 GMT

The clay has dried up, the oven is turned off and the employees no longer turn up for work. Moroccan Artisans have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now they are struggling to survive because lifestyles have changed. Foreign tourists have vanished, the lockdown has paralyzed economic life and local customers "have other priorities".

The business has been two hundred percent affected by the virus, and it would take at least two or three years to return to normal.

The 30 women who weave rugs for a small cooperative called "Creative Woman" in Sale have all lost their meager incomes.

Weavers work eight hours a day for barely $100 a month "when the carpets are sold" and they "have nothing left because there has not been a single sale in three months", explained Rachida Nabati.

In Tunisia, the National Office of Handicrafts has been working on an electronic platform for sales in Europe and has organized small exhibitions in hotels.

It also encourages artisans to launch Facebook pages or electronic sites.

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A Moroccan rug weaver sorts out yarn at a workshop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP

A Moroccan rug weaver sorts out yarn at a workshop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP

A Moroccan rug weaver creates a carpet at a workshop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP

A Moroccan rug weaver creates a carpet at a workshop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP

Moroccan rug weavers create a carpet at a workshop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP

Moroccan rug weavers create a carpet at a workshop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP

A Moroccan rug dealer lines up carpets at a shop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP

A Moroccan rug dealer lines up carpets at a shop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP

Moroccan rug dealers roll a carpet at a shop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP

Moroccan rug dealers roll a carpet at a shop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP

Moroccan rug weavers create a carpet at a workshop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP

Moroccan rug weavers create a carpet at a workshop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP

A Moroccan rug weaver peeks from behind carpet thread at a workshop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP

A Moroccan rug weaver peeks from behind carpet thread at a workshop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP

A Moroccan rug dealer lines up carpets at a shop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP

A Moroccan rug dealer lines up carpets at a shop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP

A Moroccan rug weaver sorts out yarn at a workshop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP
A Moroccan rug weaver creates a carpet at a workshop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP
Moroccan rug weavers create a carpet at a workshop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP
A Moroccan rug dealer lines up carpets at a shop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP
Moroccan rug dealers roll a carpet at a shop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP
Moroccan rug weavers create a carpet at a workshop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP
A Moroccan rug weaver peeks from behind carpet thread at a workshop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP
A Moroccan rug dealer lines up carpets at a shop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP
A Moroccan rug weaver sorts out yarn at a workshop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP
A Moroccan rug weaver sorts out yarn at a workshop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP
A Moroccan rug weaver creates a carpet at a workshop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP
A Moroccan rug weaver creates a carpet at a workshop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP
Moroccan rug weavers create a carpet at a workshop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP
Moroccan rug weavers create a carpet at a workshop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP
A Moroccan rug dealer lines up carpets at a shop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP
A Moroccan rug dealer lines up carpets at a shop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP
Moroccan rug dealers roll a carpet at a shop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP
Moroccan rug dealers roll a carpet at a shop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP
Moroccan rug weavers create a carpet at a workshop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP
Moroccan rug weavers create a carpet at a workshop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP
A Moroccan rug weaver peeks from behind carpet thread at a workshop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP
A Moroccan rug weaver peeks from behind carpet thread at a workshop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP
A Moroccan rug dealer lines up carpets at a shop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP
A Moroccan rug dealer lines up carpets at a shop in the city of Sale, north of the capital Rabat, on June 3, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Artisans in Morocco have been starved of income for almost three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crafts industry represents some seven percent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of nearly 1 billion dirhams ($100 million). FADEL SENNA / AFP

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