Work Sincerely Live Humbly – A Glimpse into Aged Laborer’s Lives

Two periods and venues

October 4 (Friday) to October 8 (Tuesday), 2024

12 noon to 8 pm

1st floor of Tseung Kwan O Plaza (1 Tong Tak Street, Tseung Kwan O)

October 18 (Friday) to October 21 (Monday), 2024

12 noon to 6 pm

Open space at CF Wing, PolyU, Hung Hom

The Hong Kong Society for Community Organization (SoCO) and the research team from the Department of Applied Social Sciences at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Empower Charity Foundation Social Services) have organized an exhibition titled “Work Sincerely Live Humbly – A Glimpse into Aged Laborer’s Lives” in response to the challenges faced by working elderly in grassroots sectors. More than 30 elderly individuals from grassroots backgrounds were invited to take self-portraits of their daily work and life, which were compiled into a journal. This exhibition, through the perspectives of the elderly, fully presents the reality of labor among grassroots seniors, calling on the public to address the issues of employment and life security for elderly workers in grassroots sectors.

Global and Local Initiatives on Healthy Aging
In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) launched a “Decade of Healthy Aging” initiative (2021-2030), aimed at improving the lives of the elderly and their communities. This ten-year plan calls for changes in how society views aging (Combating Ageism), the development of age-friendly environments, integrated primary care, and long-term care.

The Forgotten Voices: Elderly Vulnerable Workers
In discussions about healthy aging, society often overlooks a group of “elderly vulnerable workers.” The number of laborers aged 65 and above has risen from 55,400 in the first quarter of 2011 (accounting for only 6.4% of the elderly population) to 229,500 in the second quarter of 2024 (accounting for 13.9% of the elderly population). This reflects the increasing number of elderly workers, with nearly 70% of low-skilled jobs (68%) in Hong Kong held by elderly individuals. Although grassroots elderly workers have contributed to society for many years, their labor rights and health needs are often neglected in discussions on healthy aging.