Bricked In: Occupational health and safety concerns of Cambodian brick kiln workers

Abstract

While Cambodia’s economy is one of the fastest growing in Asia, there is a darker, more dangerous side mortared between the rapid proliferation of new, western style office buildings, shopping centers, and luxury condominiums. These construction projects demand a substantial amount of bricks which are supplied by a domestic brick industry at the expense of thousands of debt-bonded Cambodians. As these laborers are bricked into debt-bonded labor, they endure extreme working conditions and experience health issues. This in-depth, qualitative study goes beyond the biomedical determinant approach of occupational disease by exploring occupational safety and health from a broader public health perspective. This study examines how Cambodian brick kiln workers describe their occupational health and safety concerns and identifies desired resources for mitigating these concerns. Fifteen in-depth interviews using an open-ended, semi-structured questionnaire were administered. Common themes emerged regarding injuries, illnesses, and experiences accessing health services.