French health ministry covered in red paint in coronavirus protest

Colour represents blood of those who have died from Covid-19

Employers clean the entrance of the French Health Ministry soiled by red paint after French activists of Attac stage a protest in support of medical workers (ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Protesters in France have covered the country's health ministry with red paint to campaign against poor working conditions for healthcare staff.

A small group of activists sprayed the building on Saturday in an act meant to symbolise the blood of those who have died from coronavirus.

"For years, health workers have been alerting us to the fact they don't have enough resources with regards to staff, beds and equipment to be able to allow us to look after people decently," Aurelie Trouve, a spokeswoman for the Attac activist group behind the protest, said.

Staff are demanding higher pay and more hospital staff after France's once-renowned healthcare system struggled to cope with the virus crisis following years of cost cuts.

Protesters also placed a giant, medal-shaped banner dubbed 'Medal of Contempt' on the steps of the health ministry to highlight what they said was the government's failure to listen to the concerns of healthcare workers.

Videos of the demonstration shows people spraying red paint over the glass doors and the sign at the front of the building.

The government has decided to pay a 1,500 euros (£1,360) bonus to public sector healthcare workers to honour their role in helping the country tackle its coronavirus outbreak.

Yet many in the sector feel the government should do more for them, and violence broke out this week at another protest held by healthcare workers in Paris.

France has seen thousands of coronavirus deaths, with the toll standing at 29,617 on Saturday afternoon.

More than 195,900 people have tested positive for the virus to date.

Additional reporting by Reuters