BEIJING - Although China is claiming success in its battle against the coronavirus, millions have lost their jobs in the economic fallout, throwing into jeopardy an ambitious target to eradicate poverty this year.
About 5.5 million rural Chinese live in poverty, defined by the government as surviving on less than 2,300 yuan a year. China has little in the way of social security benefits, and workers who lose their jobs have an inadequate safety net, meaning mass unemployment often brings a fear of unrest. Ms Hu Fangdi, 23, lost her job as a saleswoman at an airport retail store two weeks ago and has had no luck finding a new role.Ms Lily Han, who lost her sales job at a tech firm last month, said she needs a new job within two months just to make ends meet.'CONSTANT ANXIETY' With much of the rest of the world still locked in all-consuming battles against the virus, the pandemic is expected to heavily weigh on demand for Chinese goods.
"I have housing and credit loans to pay... My family is now covering my housing loan and I work part-time to cover my daily expenses," he said.Mr Eric Liu, owner of Maomaochong Bar and Pizza in one of Beijing's ageing hutong neighbourhoods, says business is paltry as the narrow alleyways remain sealed off.
And Beijing authorities have allowed companies to waive some social security payments, including contributions to pension, unemployment and work injury funds - measures that could further hit vulnerable workers.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
China reports 46 new coronavirus cases, up from 42 a day earlierMainland China reported on Saturday 46 new coronavirus cases, including 42 involving travellers from overseas, up from 42 cases a day earlier. Does it seem believable that China is reporting roughly the same number of infections as a country like NZ.. Keep reporting 'good' numbers, you are doing real well
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »
Coronavirus: China delays mask and ventilator exports after quality complaintsBEIJING (NYTIMES) - Chinese officials have begun inspecting every shipment of N95 respirators, ventilators and other medical supplies for quality issues before export, a policy likely to delay the arrival of critical gear at hospitals around the world that are struggling to cope with the coronavirus pandemic.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »
Coronavirus: US accuses China of 'xenophobia' in treatment of AfricansWASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States on Saturday (April 11) accused Chinese authorities of 'xenophobia' towards Africans, after coronavirus cases among Nigerians unleashed a wave of evictions in the city of Guangzhou.. Read more at straitstimes.com. The irony People sitting in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. 甩锅
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »
African community targeted in China coronavirus crackdownBEIJING (AFP) - Africans in southern China's largest city say they have become targets of suspicion and subjected to forced evictions, arbitrary quarantines and mass coronavirus testing as the country steps up its fight against imported infections.. Read more at straitstimes.com. Mainlanders are so racist. At least the world is fully waking up to this. Take a look at this gallery in Wuhan that eventually had to close down becuase of complaints. Comparing Africans to animals. Only in racist China this could happen. ChinaRacist
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »
Coronavirus: China is not safe while Covid-19 continues to spread around the world, experts sayChina’s top epidemiologists have warned that the country may not yet be out of the woods with regards to the coronavirus pandemic and that the responses of the United States and Europe to the global health crisis will be pivotal to how it unfolds.Covid-19, the disease caused by the pathogen, is unlikely Yes, it will live among us and practicing good hygiene and avoiding crowds will be a way of life.
Source: YahooSG - 🏆 3. / 71 Read more »
On Russian border, China scrambles to contain coronavirus influxBEIJING (REUTERS) - A small Chinese city on the border with Russia is mounting an increasingly urgent defence against a surge of new coronavirus cases even as crowds return to restaurants and shops in much of the rest of the country.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »