The 15.8 million urban poor will all get relief payments from the
government later this year, said the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
By
January 31, most of the unemployed or disadvantaged urban residents
have been receiving monthly payments from local governments, said
Wang Zhenyue, a director with the relief department of the
ministry.
The minimum living standard payment is part of the country's social
security system that aids people who have lost jobs during the
nationwide industrial restructuring.
"Only a small number of people in need got aid from the government
before last year, due to a lack of investment in social security
funds," he said.
"The central government made a breakthrough last year when it
decided to spend more on urban relief," said Wang. "People who meet
the requirements of minimum living standards were soon included in
the aid program."
The central and local governments spent 5.4 billion yuan (US$651
million) on the urban relief projects last year.
The monthly payment varies in different cities. In Shenyang, for
instance, the standard payment per person is 205 yuan (US$25), in
Baoding 156 yuan (US$19), and in Tianjin, 241 yuan (US$29).
"The money is enough for basic daily expenses," said Wang. "The
amount of aid is close to the cost of basic living standards
calculated by academics."
Besides the money given by local governments, the poor also receive
help from the community.
"I
have three children, and we get a total of 964 yuan (US$116) each
month, which is enough for food," said Xin Shaohua, who lives in
Tianjin. "Thanks to the community authority, my children also
go to school for free."
In
Shenyang, capital of Northeast China's
Liaoning Province, the social security system has not only
helped laid-off workers, the unemployed and poor, but also assisted
all those whose monthly income is less than 205 yuan (US$25).
(China
Daily February 20, 2002)