BEIJING: Authorities in southwest China's Chongqing municipality have asked local people not to give money to beggars and discourage begging in view of a study saying that some of them earn much more than regular white collar workers.
The appeal follows a survey undertaken by Chongqing's salvation station among 1,000 local beggars which showed that more than 80 per cent of them are professional beggars.
Some of the beggars earned more money than white collar workers, a dozen of them can even make USD 1,257 per month, 'Chongqing Evening News' reported.
Moreover, some 80 per cent of beggars are also reluctant to receive help from the salvation station, set up by the local government to aid beggars, it said.
The survey found that most of their families are not impoverished, but they view begging as a profession with a relatively high 'salary.'
Professional beggars can be found in Chongqing's main squares, commercial districts, traffic-free streets and holiday resorts. Sometimes the whole family goes to beg for money.
A 'lucky' beggar can earn USD 37-50 a day, six times higher than an ordinary worker's daily income in Chongqing.
Some beggars' life is better than white collars, but they refuse to stop begging. Thus, senior staff of the Chonquing salvation station have advised local citizens not to give money to beggars.
