The Ministry of Civil Affairs announced on 7 February, 2002 that a total of 12.35 million people in 12 provinces and municipalities in China had received minimum livelihood protection at the end of January. Ninety percent of these people were unemployed workers and workers with special needs.

The system of providing protection to maintain the basic needs of the poorest urban families was set up by the government in September, 1999. The protection level is pegged to minimum wage standards.

(Source: China's news agencies)

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Online: 2002-02-07