MR federal MP Christophe BOMBLED is tabling a bill to extend the flexi-job scheme to businesses renting out folk costumes.
In many regions of the country, folk activities are rooted in a long tradition, a source of pride and belonging for the local community. They also generate economic activity for several months of the year.
Uniforms, costumes, accessories and traditional clothing reinforce the authentic character of these events. Most of this equipment is rented by participants from specialist businesses.
« During the covid-19 crisis, particularly during the long period when public events were banned, costume and accessory rental businesses were severely affected and saw their activity drastically reduced, or even temporarily disappear, » laments MR MP Christophe Bombled. « Some specialised companies, often small operations driven above all by genuine passion, saw a significant proportion of their staff move into other lines of work. This has since caused real difficulties in ensuring costumes and accessories can be made or repaired. »
Moreover, the folk costume rental sector is essentially seasonal. For example, a business renting out carnival costumes will see a peak in activity during the winter season, while the Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse marches take place between May and September.
« To cope with the seasonal activity peak, the sector needs a flexible workforce. At present, however, it cannot directly access flexi-jobs. Extending this measure to folk activities is essential if we want to preserve and sustain them. They contribute greatly to local tourism and regional prestige. Far more than a mere series of festive events, they are the living reflection of a history, a culture and a community, and form an essential element of the collective identity of the region's inhabitants, » concludes Christophe Bombled.
The MR bill to extend the flexi-job scheme to businesses renting out folk costumes will shortly be debated in the Chamber committee.