China: In Wuhan, pensioners demonstrate against the reduction of a medical subsidy
A view of the city of Wuhan in 2020 (illustration image).
© Sam McNeil/AP
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
Tens of thousands of retirees demonstrated on Wednesday February 8 in Wuhan, in central China.
The protesters have not taken off since the local authorities have cut their monthly medical subsidy as a cost-saving measure.
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With our correspondent in Beijing,
Stéphane Lagarde
From a distance, one could almost think of a
Hong Kong demonstration
.
The thing is much rarer on the continent, but it is indeed an army of multicolored umbrellas which made the foot of crane this Wednesday from 8 am in the morning in front of the seat of the municipality of Wuhan.
A peaceful gathering.
The images quickly censored on social networks show elderly petitioners.
Let's sing in the rain.
Some are singing the International on the wet pavement, while others are displaying small signs with a number: "
260 yuan
" (35 euros), i.e. the monthly drug subsidy initially paid to retirees in the capital of Hubei and reduced without notice to less than 100 yuan at the beginning of the month.
Online testimonials denounce this decision, which affects the less well-off categories.
2月8号白天，武汉上万名退休老人上街抗议武汉医保改革。
在现场高唱国际歌。 pic.twitter.com/xN3C7eA86G
— 李老师不是你老师 (@whyyoutouzhele) February 8, 2023
“
Because of this reform, pensioners lose nearly 15 euros per month.
We had just enough to cover ourselves in case of flu, we barely have enough to buy a box of medicine.
»
A costly “zero Covid” policy
According to residents, many participants in the rally are former employees of steel mills, but also retirees from public companies.
All are asking for their subsidies to be reinstated and are wondering about the reasons behind this sudden reduction in payments.
“
It shows that the city's finances are in the red.
For three years, repeated PCR tests and the
"zero Covid" policy
created debt for the municipality.
That's why they cut the subsidies.
»
The “zero Covid” policy
lifted since December 2022
has emptied the coffers of local governments.
Footage released online shows some protesters being dragged out of crowds by plainclothes officers, but by and large police have remained low-key, recording those present from tinted police vehicles.
“
The question is rather how can you reduce medical aid, when on the contrary it should be increased.
The elderly are already struggling to live
," another witness told
Radio Free Asia (RFA)
. If their subsidy is not restored, despite threats from public security, the demonstrators have already called for a new gathering on February 15 in a city park.
► Also to listen: The Health Council -
How to explain the failure of the zero Covid policy in China
?
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