All craftspeople in Khorasan Razavi Province that hold a craftsmanship ID card issued by Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization will be protected by insurance coverage, a provincial official said.
This came thanks to a memorandum of understanding signed in mid-June between the Agricultural, Rural and Nomadic Insurance Fund and ICHHTO to provide insurance for artisans among nomads, villagers and residents of small towns, CHTN quoted Mohammad Motiei, handicrafts deputy at the provincial ICHHTO as saying.
The portfolio would include life, health and disability insurance policies, Motiei said during a recent meeting to inaugurate the scheme in the province.
"All the eligible producers of handicrafts can refer to the regional branches of the fund, after applying for a recommendation letter from ICHHTO."
The scheme will cover artisans in villages with a population of less than 20,000, those who have a license for work-at-home jobs in villages as well as those who work with their craftsmanship ID cards.
Furthermore, the official said, those urban residents working in the handicrafts sector who had not been covered by any insurance protection as well as those whose insurance coverage has been cut off for any reason will be deemed eligible to receive the merit.
Managing director of the fund, Mohammad Reza Vaez Mahdavi, said the new program does not cover people under 50, adding, "The longer the premium payment record, the bigger the pension."
Government's Contribution
The insured are required to pay a minimum of 200,000 rials ($4.5), making up one-thirds of the monthly premium, and the government, as the employer, has committed to contribute the remainder.
"Under the new initiative, like other social security schemes, craftsman nomads and villagers are provided with guaranteed pension payout, disability payment, life insurance and other insurance benefits," Vaez Mahdavi said.
Feelings of insecurity about the future have been haunting Iranian handicraft makers. Officials hope the MoU would be the first step toward allaying those concerns.
Reportedly, there are 400,000 holders of ICHHTO's craftsmanship card and about two million other people active in the handicraft sector have yet to register with the handicrafts office.
Felts, tribal rugs, glasswork, pottery, ceramics and tiles, traditional furniture, copper and brass ornaments, woodwork (including mosaic, wood carving and inlaid), enamel work and engravings are among the most well-known types of handmade artworks in Iran.
