Crafts are an important sector of the economy. It is full of several assets and opportunities, contributes 18% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs more than a million people. In the dynamic of reforms, the government has just given the sector a new status.
This new status is reserved for the spouses of artisans. From now on, the spouse of the craftsman who participates actively and regularly in the activities of the craft business must choose between 3 statuses. These are the partner spouse, the employee spouse and the family caregiver spouse.
The specificities of each status
The text specifies the specificities of each status, the obligations of the different parties. Concretely, the “associated spouse” is considered to be co-owner of the craft business.
The “employee spouse” is considered an ordinary employee who enjoys the same rights and is subject to the same obligations as all other employees. The “family caregiver spouse” is considered a volunteer.
An initiative that will give a boost to the sector
This new status further shows the importance that public authorities give to the craft sector. The provision offers better legal and social protection to the spouses of artisans.
This will contribute to better organization of the sector. It will improve not only working conditions, but also the living conditions of those involved in the sector.
Reforms already carried out
The craft has undergone profound changes in recent years. In 2011, the government developed the National Crafts Development Policy (PNDA). Thanks to it, investments allocated to the sector are multiplied. Over the period 2011-2019, 9 billion CFA francs were invested.
In addition to increasing investments, the State has carried out reforms. These include, among other things, the creation of Craft Resource Centers (CRA) in the prefectures, the facilitation of access for craft products and services to national and international markets, the establishment of a health insurance for players in the sector, strengthening the legal framework.
To all these reforms, we must add the International Craft Market (Miato) launched in 2019 to promote Togolese craft products.
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