In Dark for a Brighter Life

This is not just the story of one person in Nepal, it is the story of many laborers working on road construction sites across the country. I witnessed this scene in Narephat, Lalitpur, where a group of workers was busy constructing and maintaining roads.

Most of them were not wearing masks while working.

When I asked why, they told me that masks are uncomfortable and do not make much difference.

Some said there might be health effects from the dust and smoke around them, but they did not know exactly what those effects were.

For many, the priority is simple, as long as they get paid, they continue working. While talking to them, I realized that many workers are unaware of the serious health risks they face every day.

They spend hours surrounded by dust, hot asphalt, smoke, and vehicle emissions.

Yet, very few use proper protective equipment. Research shows that workers involved in road construction and asphalt production are exposed to toxic fumes, silica dust, extreme heat, and hazardous chemicals.

Long-term exposure can lead to respiratory diseases, chronic coughing, asthma, skin disorders, eye irritation, and even an increased risk of lung cancer.

Working without masks, gloves, safety goggles, boots, and high-visibility clothing only increases these dangers. What struck me the most was not the pollution itself, but how normal it had become for them.

The risks were accepted as part of the job.

They work in black dust and smoke every day to build roads and infrastructure that benefit the rest of us. Behind every road we travel on are workers who often sacrifice their health to earn a living.

Their labor helps build a brighter future for our communities, but it should not come at the cost of their own well-being.