Row, to Napoli, to request the shopping card: the payment card worth 40 euros per month that can be used by people who are 65 years old or have children under 3 years old who are in a particularly difficult economic situation. About a hundred are in front of a municipal office in via Salvatore Tommasi, in the Museo area. An ambulance is also present on site.
As time went by, also following the word of mouth in the alleys, the number of people in line increased to a few hundred. Those who arrive provide their name to a municipal employee who regulates access and waits to be called: at that point the process is completed and the citizen is given the documents needed to collect the shopping card at a post office.
“It’s not much, it’s not the basic income, but it’s always useful. Today you go to the checkout at a supermarket, you pay a hundred euros and you realize that there’s practically nothing in the shopping bag,” says a young man who describes himself as “a family man.” Another woman, who has been waiting in line for hours, asks the photographers present not to be photographed: “This is the line of misery and, excuse me, but I’m ashamed.” In the narrow street in front of the town hall on Via Tommasi, traffic is practically at a standstill. People waiting seek shelter from the intense heat by fanning themselves with fans and have their hands full keeping an eye on the small children they’ve brought with them.
Article published on 21 August 2023 - 15:05
