In the hot May days, the atmosphere at the Dai Ngai 2 bridge construction site across the Hau River connecting Long Phu district and Cu Lao Dung district (Soc Trang province) was still bustling and urgent. More than 30 engineers and workers along with dump trucks carrying hot asphalt concrete lined up, diligently wearing new coats for the rapidly taking shape.
Although construction technology has been improved a lot, reducing manual labor, every time a plastic carpet passes, it still requires about a dozen workers to follow. Users scoop each layer of hot plastic, meticulously patching it to the places where it is annoyed, while others hold it with scissors and roll the surface evenly before the rider rolls over.
Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan, a long-time worker in the profession, shared: "No one in this profession asks how many hours are after work. When the plastic vehicles arrived, the brothers worked. Some days start early in the morning but it's not until 1-2 pm that I'm done, eat rice, and rest in a hurry. When the night is cool, take advantage of working all night to keep up with the progress".
According to Mr. Tuan, the temperature of the asphalt concrete when it is just mixed can reach 150 degrees Celsius. The longer it is left, the lower the temperature, the more the bonding is lost, not ensuring quality, and must be thrown away. Plastic distributors must work at high intensity, always racing against time to release plastic, and no mistakes are allowed.
As the only woman in the road asphalt team, Ms. Dinh Thi Huong has been in the profession for more than 10 years, which is all the time she and her husband have traveled from Ben Tre province to Ho Chi Minh City to travel to each construction site.
"This profession is not selective, who can endure heat and hardship can stay. Hot from the road, hot sunlight from the sky, not to mention the pungent smell of plastic burning all over your face. Every day, working from morning to afternoon, and some days overtime until evening, my husband and I also earn 1 million VND. Although it is difficult, it has income," said Ms. Huong.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Ut, a worker from Tra Vinh province, said: "When I first started working, I stood near theattered grill and was standing next to the oven, wearing a mask and protective gear but still had a burning face. Rubber shoes have been around for a few days and have broken soles and straps."
After three years in the profession, Mr. Ut has gradually gotten used to the urgency and harsh working environment. "For a long time, if there is a continuous project, there will be a steady income. After finishing this bridge, another bridge is built, just like that, we can survive," said Mr. Ut.
