The brick kilns in Cambodia embody a grim reality for the workers at the heart of the country’s fast fashion industry. In sweltering working conditions, they face extreme heat and hazardous fumes, trapped in a cycle of poverty and debt. This article sheds light on the impact of these conditions on workers’ health and the environmental consequences of using garment scraps as fuel in the kilns.
The workers in Cambodia’s brick kilns endure some of the hottest working conditions in the world. They sweat profusely, often to the point of feeling like they are in a hot bath. Fainting from dehydration is common, and their core body temperatures consistently exceed healthy levels. The heat stress they experience can lead to symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and headaches. In some cases, workers have even suffered from life-threatening conditions like heat stroke and heart failure.
The situation is worsened by the warming climate and Cambodia’s own weather patterns, which hit record-breaking temperatures. As global temperatures continue to rise, the risk to these workers’ lives increases significantly. While many claim that we are all in the fight against climate change together, this article highlights the profound disparities in how people are affected. The poorest individuals who work in brick kilns bear the brunt of these impacts, with their basic human rights being violated in the pursuit of economic growth.
Beyond the physical toll on workers’ health, the article exposes the environmental hazards of using textile scraps as fuel in the kilns. These scraps, originating from Cambodia’s $6 billion garment industry, contain chlorine bleach, formaldehyde, ammonia, and heavy metals used in dyeing and printing processes. The toxic fumes released during combustion not only pollute the air but also pose serious health risks for workers and surrounding communities. Furthermore, the article highlights how Western fashion brands like Disney, Clarks, and H&M have been indirectly implicated in this issue by finding their labels among the scraps.
The vulnerable workers in these brick kilns come from farming backgrounds, pushed into debt and financial insecurity by unpredictable weather and failed harvests. Desperate to repay the micro-loans they have taken, many migrate to cities like Phnom Penh in search of work. The owners of the brick kilns exploit their dire circumstances, promising to pay off their debts but leaving them shackled to the kiln in bonded labor. This practice perpetuates a cycle of poverty, with families becoming trapped in these hazardous working conditions.
The article concludes by addressing the need to recognize the intersections between labor exploitation, inequality, and climate change. It emphasizes the importance of taking action to improve the living and working conditions of brick kiln workers in Cambodia. Stricter regulations and enforcement, as well as corporate responsibility from fashion brands, are necessary steps towards ensuring the safety and dignity of these workers. Additionally, the article highlights the critical role that consumers and the wider public play in demanding transparency and change from the fashion industry.
Overall, this article exposes the harsh reality faced by Cambodia’s brick kiln workers and the urgent need for reform in the fast fashion industry. It highlights the profound impact of extreme heat and toxic fumes on workers’ health while shedding light on the complex intersection between poverty, debt, climate change, and labor exploitation. By bringing attention to these issues, the article aims to spark public awareness and prompt action towards a more equitable and sustainable future.
