China’s pivot from zero-Covid little relief for workers fighting for ‘survival’
- Poor Chinese are at risk of slipping back into poverty as the economy struggles to recover after nearly three years of zero-Covid
- About 14.4 million Chinese have fallen into poverty since the pandemic began, of which 3 million were rural households, study shows
After more than three decades in the demolition industry, Li Jianhong is finding it increasingly difficult to earn a living.
Li has watched work in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang province, dry up.
“We can’t even afford to eat,” said Li, a 58-year-old migrant worker from Anhui province in eastern China.
I can only borrow money from relatives and friends to survive
Before the most recent coronavirus outbreak, Li could earn up to 40,000 yuan (US$5,700) per year. Now, he is deep in debt.
“I can only borrow money from relatives and friends to survive, the bank won’t lend money to people like us,” said Li, who together with his unemployed son, needs to support his sick parents, wife and young grandson.
Poor Chinese like Li are at risk of slipping back into poverty as the economy struggles to get back on track after nearly three years of zero-Covid.