Tuesday, October 27, 2026

China’s ‘zero Covid’ workers revolt over salaries, job loss

Meanwhile, China said almost 60,000 COVID-19-related deaths had been recorded since the government eased its restrictions over a week ago.

• January 17, 2023
COVID-19 PROTESTERS IN CHINA
COVID-19 PROTESTERS IN CHINA [Credit: New York Times]

China’s unexpected removal of COVID-19 restrictions has sparked protests from hundreds of pandemic-control workers who now face pay cuts and probable job losses.

In Chongqing, hundreds of workers protested against their employer, a maker of COVID-19 test kits, and destroyed many test kits during a pay dispute.

A similar incident occurred in Hangzhou with several workers threatening to jump down the roof of a COVID-19 test factory to protest their layoffs without remuneration. 

The rapidly degenerating protests put China’s stability at risk and could send its unemployment rate to an all-time high if left unresolved for long.

Meanwhile, China said almost 60,000 COVID-19-related deaths had been recorded since the government eased its restrictions over a week ago.

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