Exhibition of elderly workers sheds spotlight on Hong Kong's pension 'failures'

To still be working aged 70 is not a milestone many Hongkongers are necessarily proud of - yet in a city lacking much of a social safety net for those who toiled all their lives, it can be inevitable.

Adding to the burden, the fact many companies enforce retirement at the age of 60 or 65 leaves some older workers turning to low-paid jobs or coping with insecure short-term contracts.

"I'd do any work - apart from stealing," says Wong Siu-ying, who earns a few thousand dollars a month handing out fliers, standing for up to five hours a shift. Despite being sick for the past three months, she is eager to get back to work.