Korean Job Discussion Forums

[caribmon]

Does anyone know what the economic / living arrangements are for the elderly people who carry around carts filled with cardboard? I certainly hope they don't do this as a means of survival! That's brutal! Is this a volunteer hobby or a job?

[mm]

I've always wondered that too. I hope it is just a hobby. The old ladies in my neighborhood who do it are lovely. They are nice to my dog and my dog's tiny deflated *beep* is an ongoing joke. They are trying to convince me that he is really a girl and like to laugh at his lack of balls.

[ChopChaeJoe]

No social security and it's an honest living, earn maybe 10 bucks a day. Better than being a Baccus lady.

[djsmnc]

Do you know those little storage shack looking things, like a painted metal door that looks like it's part of a concrete wall? That's what they usually live in.

[v88]

This is a bit of a strange part of Korea. It seems unclear if recycling is undertaken by the government or by the poor.

Many poor people make their living by collecting and selling recycling. They seem to claim an area and live in some rather run down place near their source. I knew of a couple that did it and collected various scrap and built their own shack on the mountain side complete with chickens and a pig (in the city). They owned 2 carts and sold their recyclables to someone who had a collection depot. Sometimes they have live under the bridges in shacks or in some tiny one room somewhere. Others seem able to save enough money to buy some land (or perhaps squat until the land is purchased and turned into a villa) and set up a collection yard. I lived next to one of these guys, he collected everything and lived in a shipping container on the lot. He owned a small truck and used it to ship his recyclables to the recycling centre.


Clearly these folks live entirely off of other people's trash and are likely not supported at all by the government. I suspect as things become more regulated they may either lose their source of income or get jobs collecting garbage for their municipality.

[djsmnc]

[gossipgirlxoxo]

Based on the fact that the collectors are usually VERY elderly and often visibly disabled, and the fact that they keep pushing those back-breaking carts rain, hail, or snow, I think it's safe to assume that none of them are doing it for a hobby or to save the planet. If there was any decent money in it, the job wouldn't be left to those least suited to do it. I am sure they have no viable alternative for earning money, or they would SURELY be doing that instead.

[Jake_Kim]

If they collect 100 kilograms (220 lbs) of cardboard boxes and/or newspapers, they barely get what equals to USD 15. (or EUR 11 or GBP 9)

One full cart-load of those weigh more or less 50 kg, yet they're desperate to earn that much to survive the day, because there is no or too little state benefit they can rely on.

[sojusucks]

They are the unfortunately poor elderly in Korea. It's a sad situation. Please, feel badly for them. If you happen to be outside when they are picking through the trash heap, just give them 1,000 won or more, and be nice to them. They are not bad people and they are just trying to survive. Please show them that foreigners are not bad people. They have been dealt a bad hand in life and they are just asking for a bare minimum- a place to sleep, some food, and some human/Godly compassion. Your expressions of support will mean a lot to them. Just put yourself in their place and just imagine how much it would mean to you to meet someone nice. My church tries to help these people and they are very nice people. It's one of the reasons I financially support my church.

[BoholDiver]

I hear them rustling around on the street on Sunday nights, especially. Recycle pickup is Monday morning in my neighbourhood.

When I hear some Korean spout off how westerners are insensitive b/c they put their elderly in a home, I think of them. I have asked before. Most Koreans say 'yes it is unfortunate.' They guess (and I guess too) that they have been abandoned by their families.

[djsmnc]

[Afghankush]

[IlIlNine]

To the people asking whether it's a hobby or not...seriously?

[Who's Your Daddy?]

[BoholDiver]

There are poor people everywhere. They were likely just scraping by their whole lives. At their age now, there is no other way for them to make money.

Korean parenting style is to sink all of your money into your kids and then expect something in return later.. So what happens if your kids abandon you?