Moroccan Hairdressers Face Financial Crisis Amid COVID-19 Lockdown

Lack of activity in these times of coronavirus, unpaid bills and rents, colossal accumulated debts, no compensation... Artisan hairdressers are severely affected by covid-19. "The vast majority of artisan hairdressers have not made 1 Dirham since March 20, the beginning of the state of health emergency," confides to Al Bayane Abdelilah, a hairdresser with 26 years of experience.

"Once the confinement is lifted, we will have to face the colossal debts that we have accumulated during all these months of inactivity. Rent for the family home and the shop as well as water and electricity bills that are piling up, not to mention the school fees of the children," he explains.

Some had to go door-to-door in the hope of finding a customer. "Some colleagues found themselves forced to venture into the street to find a potential customer," he recounts. Abdelilah claims that these fashion professionals do not have social security (CNSS) and retirement. "It is imperative that we can also benefit from social security and retirement, he insists. I have worked all my life but when I am no longer able to work, who will provide for my needs? Being able to benefit from social benefits is a matter of life or death."

Fatima-Zohra, a women’s hairdresser, finds herself in the same situation. "The activity is at a standstill. As for me, I’m lucky to have loyal customers. I receive one every 2 or 3 days at home." She is also drowning in debt. "The owner of my hair salon is demanding his 2300 DH rent per month, not to mention the bills that have been piling up for almost 3 months. [...] Also, I have several loans, including a loan I had taken out last year to buy equipment and products," she confides.