ZCZC
BFF-20
CHINA-COMMUNITY WORKERS-DEATH-VIRUS
53 community workers die on China’s front line against epidemic
BEIJING, March 9, 2020 (BSS/XINHUA) – As of Sunday, 53 community workers
had died in the line of duty in China’s prevention and control of the COVID-
19 epidemic, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
Chen Yueliang, a division chief of the ministry, said at a press conference
Monday that 49 of them were members of the Communist Party of China.
Commending the bravery and sacrifices of community workers and their
contributions to the containment of the epidemic, Chen said the country will
give more support and care for them.
Those community workers who sacrificed their lives will be given posthumous
citations in addition to special pensions and preferential treatment for
their family members, according to Chen.
In the meantime, the government pledged to secure the supply of protective
gear for community workers, as well as allowances and financial support for
those not covered by work-related injury insurance.
Chen also called for efforts in stopping formalities for formalities’ sake
and bureaucratism with enhanced public supervision.
BSS/XINHUA/FI/ 1130 hrs