Hong Kong's Hidden Struggles: Elders Collecting Cardboard for Survival

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Hong Kong is full of skyscrapers, with world-renowned shopping destinations and amusement parks to attract tourists.
These images coexist with the picture of elderly people in the city, often seen collecting cardboard to survive.
It reflects the stark contrast between the elderly welfare issues in Hong Kong, which result from the influence of a capitalist system. Low-wage workers earn little and have no savings, no retirement benefits, and even as they grow older, they still have to work.
This episode has been filmed in 2017.
#Hongkong #documentary #poverty #tourism
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[@alexcarter8807]

I'm in "Silicon Valley" and you can very much see wealth and poverty side by side here.

[@balsafarmers10]

Even here n my area .... And theres a park near ssp that i was surprised when i passed by that area they used that park as their home... Their stuffs are there ,kitchen eq ,utensils , and it smells bad.

[@eugenehayden3571]

Thank you for sharing these stories. The truth is not as popular as lies on media but it connects us to the reality

[@eddieleong6490]

It is Slavery of the Elderly and HK is famous for that. The very old are forced to work as slaves to keep HK clean and to recycle materials. In Singapore, the Bangladesh migrant workers earn up to US$1,000 (with overtime) do the same work, is given decent subsidised workers dormitory, access to medical care, transport to worksites, insurance, etc.

[@90taetaeya]

And HK lectures SG about human rights 😂

[@MinistryofThoughtsandFeelings]

Sad as this sight is....hats off to these seniors who are still working so hard. Respect.

[@trickolas78]

Unlike westerners, The Chinese don’t give

[@conmanumber1]

I don't care about wealth. My heart goes to all aged folk all around the world.

[@buinghiathuan4595]

It painful for me to think about it. I can't even think about if the situation where my mom would have to work in her old age.

[@ismailahamidoloko707]

Thank you 🙏🏾 very much for sharing this content. It is harsh reality of life. The rich are getting richer and poorer are getting worse.

[@walkinginsingapore8548]

In singapore, we have grandma collecting cardboard ,just to exercise herself and to kill time

[@90taetaeya]

In singapore, welfare is to the point, a rental would be $20 for the elderly, and they get a full flat for themselves.

[@dennisjazzy2004ds]

I am a Singaporean. The old people in Singapore work to supplement their income. They have pensions, Government welfare and sometimes allowances from their children. There are many private welfare organisations also to assist them. Sometimes the old people never did manage their finances prudently in their younger working years. So don't blame the Government for everything. Also some old people are difficult to help as they are very stubborn. They want rental housing at prime locations.

[@corvettesbme]

I could not imagine. Thank you for sharing

[@worldlife9834]

This is only part of the truth about Hong Kong. Foreign worker exploitation is another problem. Imagine being forced to live with your abusive boss. Racism and discrimination are real in Hong Kong. These problems have only gotten worse.

[@SamsungLe-vz2uy]

They can go elsewhere or stay in their country, not everyboss is bad.😊

[@worldlife9834]

Racist CHINESE BIGOT. Human rights violating city All international companies should remove their business@@SamsungLe-vz2uy

[@MicoBalbiran-hr2mh]

That's why while we are young, we must need to have savings, health insurance and memorial plan so that when we get old our life is not stressful..

[@bbd121]

This is just really, really sad and depressing.

[@JusagiChan]

Seeing that old grandma push that cart around reminds me of my grandmother before she passed. I know without a doubt if our family were struggling, she'd be out there gathering cardboard boxes all day every day to provide for us. Though we moved to Canada when I was young, she's a Hong Kong native through and through. I have so much respect for these people.

[@Valent_Nomad_vlog]

I was surprised in Mong Kok, in Hong Kong to see so many elderly exercising early morning. Seems to be a culture, or realising that without being healthy there are few chances to survive and keep going … I posted also a video about it on my channel

[@3066961]

it's cruel place where human value means almost nothing, yet very low income tax rate to the upper class though, about 18%

[@sengwoonawyong7692]

At 3.08, 10 square ft area , I think it’s a mistake. A single bed will take up about 18 square ft ( 3 x 6 ft).

[@lindawilson795]

Jesus said that the poor would always be with us. Greed is number one for many.😰

[@Minass848]

Amen your right

[@90taetaeya]

This is shocking, and Hong Kong dares to lecture others about human rights. Disgusting.

[@albertleung5823]

Is there any statistics about the elderly poor instead of just showing of a few cases?

[@fisherman9428]

I once tried to give money but to my surprise the elderly woman refused....

[@eddieleong6490]

In Chinese we say....Good to look at but not good to eat. While it applies to food (the Chinese loves eating), the same label is a criticism of HK... Even in Mainland China, the poor have been lifted from poverty but not in rich HK. The leaders of HK are obedient to the Beijing government. They can do a lot more for the poor and elderly, but they rather pamper to the rich and successful i.e. businesses.

[@alexcarter8807]

Capitalism is a product of "Western" culture which is a very young, primitive, short-sighted and savage culture. We Westerners never had Confucius, and as sill as that sounds, I think it's the reason Western culture will die out. The things that are considered normal in Western culture like landlordism, kicking your kids out at age 18, not helping them with college, college and everything else being for-profit including medical care .... all I can say is, CCP, keep going! You are going the right way!

[@Mikupigeon]

@@alexcarter8807 Do you consider Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish westerners as well?

[@leonhenry4861]

@@Mikupigeonthey’re considered Nordic countries, you missed Iceland. They’re not part of the western culture as they have there own traditions.

[@Mikupigeon]

@@leonhenry4861 Of course I know they are nordic countries but in China it's more about political ideology rather than geographical and cultural differences. Finland, sweden, iceland and Finland etc are considered part of the "western" world, that's why even Japan can also be called "western" .

[@jamesmeehan4209]

People saying People in China has been lifted out of poverty really when you say they have been lifted out of poverty does this mean that the poorest peoples living in mansions.

[@chacri08]

You call that poverty? Have you been to the Philippines?

[@robloak]

Yes, we have. ^ ^ If you are interesting, please watch this episode. kzbin.info/www/bejne/moLNaaSFgr15sNUsi=1l5iv41064UJ2xVC

[@user-qp4hx3dg5d]

It’s not a competition, memsh. They have a working government but in the PH, we have a barely working givernment under a dropout son of a dictator President

[@mariadoloresmillares3451]

Good day to you ..here in the Philippines we take care of our elderly ..they live with us i our families and its a great honor and privilege for us to take care of them in their old age as t shows our love for them ..

[@suensuen4206]

One of my Dutch friends from The Netherlands have asked me whether I will collect the cardboard for living when I am in old age ❓❓❗ Some stories is that the elders collect the cardboard for their interests even some of them are very rich once they died in the street street accidentally, found that there were lots of money is hidden in their home Another view of points,those elders are recycled supporters Also, some of elders are needed to be hepled All above collecting of cardboard by the old is proper in Hong Kong I have come across an old man around 70 to 80 who dressed clean & decent have waited at the MTR exit collecting morning newspapers from the people walking by And I save more papers for him as well One day in the afternoon I met him and curious asked him why he colect the papers early in the morning The old man replied that only to buy a breakfast for that As i have seen his daughter accompany with him from supermarket with many stuffs ❤❤

[@alexcarter8807]

As for those capsule modules, when I was an athlete and lived for a while in a dormatory setting, there used to be 2-3 people per room and it was customary to take the bed and set it up high, sleep in the bed up high at night, and below the bed was a sort of little personal area. It was kind of neat, actually.

[@timmartino7269]

Haaah .. same in my city Jakarta.. trush collector its called in my country “ pemulung. 😊

[@SuperPromethee]

same as what happened in new york or other big capitalistic cities on earth....

[@oictaylor]

Welfare should be voluntarily given. State welfare is immoral

[@iwancimeng1397]

Kehidupan begitu keras dan sombong, tidak ada belas kasih untuk para lansia.

[@alisra007]

At least they are not a homeless living on street sidewalk like we see in California 😅

[@dead_or_alive2649]

I am not a fan of welfare except for seniors and disabled.... All else should be required to work regardless of the excuses. But for the seniors whom paved our way, all of their needs should be met. Along with the disabled since it was no fault of their own. Maybe if society stopped paying for all the abled body individuals and forced them to work we wouldn’t have these issues

[@stargazeronesixseven]

🙏 All countries should save 5% of their GDP Annual Revenue to their Community Welfare Council to planned , locate , homed & take good care of their Pioneer & Senior Citizens who have sacrificed so much to help build-up their respective modern countries of today! When there's a Sincere Will , it Can Be Done! 🙏🕯🌷🌿🌍💜🕊

[@Fj8282haha]

The few filthy riches r the main culprits! Billionaires 1. Li Ka-shing. $39 B ; 2. Lee Shau Kee. $30.3 B ; 3. Henry Cheng & family. $28.9 B ; 4. Lee siblings. $19.3 B ; 5. Peter Woo. $16.9 B.

[@trueseeker262]

Yep! The Government also been controlled by property developers. Thats why alot of people are living Hong Kong.

[@mozartii5600]

this is eactly same like Skorea. 1st world in elderly poverty rate

[@abdulrajaf6]

Honestly...i'm SAD...

[@kaufengshan3798]

Same like singapore lot of poor n old people but everyday tell the whole world there are most expensive city

[@tonilim-tw8ep]

One cup of tea is S$1.40 at coffee shops _--- some asked for S$1.50 ---

[@barryherbaut286]

Where ever there is wealth there is poverty.

[@leonhenry4861]

None in Iceland 😂

[@felixthecat6284]

Hong Kong got tones of super rich. They will help

[@MrMomo2022]

It appears to me this person is saying there are no elderly proverty in his beloved country. Tell me where this heaven is.

[@herryso6238]

So sad. Human is so greedy.

[@lominiski]

This is really old (years). It is definitely not 2020 or later.

[@martinleung212]

Hong Kong is a capitalist city, ie good for capitalists but not so good for others. There is no pension system for the elderly, so poor old people have to keep on working to survive. Unfortunately for no-skill or low-skill seniors, there ain't much they can do to get a buck, and collecting empty cartons and other rubbish is one of only a few options, and there are stiff competition for that too.

[@philippelee5720]

Old must make way for new …. Perhaps HK gov idea 😢

[@albueno7937]

There's a lot of cardboard collectors in Singapore too

[@mujkocka]

How come they are not eligible for public housing? After 65. People gets 4000hkd a month… having lived in 6 different countries. This problem is everywhere. Even in Japan. Lots of Elderliew can’t retire . You can hear hkers laugh at western countries of easy welfare systems. Yet,when some of them moved to the UK, they would take advantage if they can. It’s not just a government thing.

[@user-lf4rb8qk2n]

Pay gap is everywhere. You should report cases of homeless people in US and AUS where GPD per captials are the top of ranking. I don't think the poverty you are sharing here is merely singular regional or political factor. As far as I am concerned, individual circumstances should be taken into account. For sure, health, working ability and employability foundamentally influence your pay and life quality. I know what you are convincing. It might be governmental, social stuctural, and even domocratic problems. But no, it might be a small group which is considered demographically reasonable, when we stress "normal ditribution" of wealth.

[@hammothw4814]

the pay gap in HK and China is way more than in US, Aus, Canada, etc. it is not even close. probably 50 times of a difference.

[@user-lf4rb8qk2n]

@@hammothw4814 In what kind of fucking way you got the information? Do u just compare the richest with the poorest? We have eliminated poverty, which is impossible in U.S. You should know there is no homeless people.

[@hermitcrabinavan7244]

Not so different from the US, no?

[@d.l.c7456]

Sad. In wealthy HK.

[@angelachanellehuang5663]

U.s. dollars goes a long way

[@ttheggodffather]

😢

[@jaytso1883]

Compare HK with Singapore. One can only conclude it's the result of poor governance by successive SAR Administrations since 1997. They have failed the HK people miserably. Their administration and legislative council talk alot but achieve little 🙄

[@terencetong4896]

What's the problem. They are actually working. Stores had goods delivered leaving a lot of box. And these people go there to collect the box and sell them . I am sure every country has this recycling mechanism. They are just not driving a truck to pick up the boxes.

[@ryerye6587]

Eejit...they are too old to be doing this work. And they dont get paid enough

[@eugeniasyro5774]

Why are their children/grandchildren allowing this? I thought elders were referred in this culture?

[@j3eee]

Revered.

[@hammothw4814]

if you have the money, of course.

[@alexcarter8807]

The only reason we have Social Security in the US is that we almost had a Socialist revolution in the 1930s. As bleak as this looks in Hong Kong, it looks very nice compared to the US where the violence and filth, drug use are off-the-charts compared to HK. Also, it's rather remarkable you have so many older people, as in the US most people don't live long enough to have these problems. In the US, life expectancy is going down rapidly.

[@eugeniasyro5774]

Revered.

[@angelachanelhuang1651]

welfare

[@jugandoclasicos]

Capitalism is a dirty business - Niko Bellic-

[@barryherbaut286]

A legacy from the times of the British Rule

[@WanuWanuWaGaLiGong]

นั่งดูตั้งนาน ไอ้เราก้อว่าใครน้อหน้าคุ้นๆ

[@eddieleong6490]

I love HK and visit often. There is nothing I can do when I see that most Hong Kongers will not care for the needy. It is indeed a very selfish society under the veneer of prosperity. I cherish my lifestyle in Singapore...far, far superior to that of HK. Spacious apartments, generous government hand-outs, free or heavily subsidised medical care for the retirees. Singapore is far superior to HK... Clean, Green, Very Safe. Food is still affordable in Singapore. The amount of edible fresh food thrown away at markets can be healthy for the needy if anyone wishes to salvage them.

[@robocop581]

Yawn. Singapore is too small and flat and no mountains. You're also a glorified renter with your 99 year lease. As for the climate it sucks as it's a constant 29°C all year which would drive me nuts. And speaking of driving, there's no COE in HK

[@worldlife9834]

Singapore and Hong Kong are the same.

[@user-gv9zy4ki1x]

Singapore is more communist than communist

[@SO-rq3pm]

@@worldlife9834 No. SG used to learn and look up to HK for many years. They were trying bloody hard to compete against HK. HK has gone downhill now thanks to China so it isn't beaten by SG.

[@jelly.212]

Pot calls the kettle Black

[@jaytso1883]

Failure of capitalism and inept successive HK SAR governments since 1997. Compare HK to Singapore

[@MeiinUK]

That is a lie. Cos so many individuals have to pay their taxes !!! Unless you are saying that it is the foreigners or hk id card holders with foreign passports that taxes to support such people ! How could hk doesn't have a proper structure to deal with this !?!?!?

[@bobevans9996]

did u pay the old actor actresses😭

[@jscwan]

yes its true,,, but then theres also some grannies collecting cardboard and she owns a few flats!!! its a sad life.. but at least not like in the Uk where people who can work choose not to work and claim benefits, which in turn increase our taxes for those that do work!!!

[@wangewakimari4294]

Move to another city, China is only in hongkong.use your head

[@SagittarianArrows]

Has Democracy ever existed in HK under British colonial rule? 英国学者：回归前的香港有民主吗？Martin Jacques https //kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmildnqmm9qJn5osi=-9szK7WVKTXnMwAc