Some OFWs in HK continue to work despite old age





Some Filipino workers in Hong Kong continue to toil despite being well into their twilight years, according to a report by GMA News' Bernadette Reyes on Balitanghali on Monday.

Take Precilla Nefalar for example. As an OFW since 1982, she remembers a "smaller" Hong Kong, with little in the way of buildings in spots where OFWs there now congregate.

"Itong Hong Kong, noong 1982, nandito ako, bihira pa lang ang mga buildings. Ngayon nag-iba na itong Hong Kong Bank, nag-iba na rin itong mga hotel, marami nang nag-iba," she said.

Thirty years since then, she became known as Nanay Precy, a motherly figure to domestic helpers there as she continues to work well into her 70s for help her sick sibling financially.

Similarly, Nanay Mila renewed her contract recently although all her children are already grownups with families on their own.

"34 years na ako nagtatrabaho dito sa amo ko, isang amo lang. Lima ang alaga ko, lahat sila tapos na sa pag-aaral. Wala pang anak ang amo ko nung nag-umpisa ako sa kanila," Nanay Mila said.

In spite of her arthritis, Nanay Mila is motivated to finish her new two-year contract to return and finally be in the company of her children and grandchildren.

Nanay Mila and Nanay Precy are only some of the older adults who continue to work abroad despite being of retirement age, the report said. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News

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