5 Of The Most Dangerous Jobs In The World | Big Business | Business Insider

Summary

This video explores the perilous lives of workers in high-risk industries around the world, from mining sulfur in an active volcano to harvesting açaí in the Amazon. The narrative sheds light on the harsh conditions and low wages faced by laborers in these billion-dollar industries. Despite the dangers—whether it's deadly smoke, extreme temperatures, or dangerous climbs—these workers continue their grueling jobs to provide for their families. Their efforts fuel global markets, yet they remain trapped in poverty, offering a stark contrast between the immense value of their labor and their meager earnings.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sulfur mining in Indonesia's Ijen volcano is extremely dangerous, with miners facing toxic smoke, extreme temperatures, and physical strain while earning low wages of about $17 per day.
• 😀 The sulfur extracted by miners is a crucial ingredient used in products like matches, fireworks, detergent, and sugar, and is known as 'devil's gold' due to its two colors.
• 😀 Despite working in hazardous conditions, miners like Mistar often work into their 50s, carrying loads of sulfur weighing up to 154 pounds on steep cliffs, all while risking their health.
• 😀 Salt farming in India, particularly in the Little Rann of Kutch desert, is a family-driven industry where workers face harsh conditions, including high temperatures and acidic brine, for a meager income.
• 😀 Agariya salt farmers work in extremely hot conditions, with many suffering from skin problems and blindness due to prolonged exposure to the sun and brine, earning less than $2,000 a year.
• 😀 The global demand for açaí, a popular 'superfood,' has led to risky and labor-intensive harvests in the Amazon rainforest, where workers must climb dangerous palm trees with minimal tools.
• 😀 Despite the global demand for açaí and its high retail price, small Brazilian farmers earn less than $1,000 annually from harvesting the fruit due to a lack of processing machines and low selling prices.
• 😀 Limestone mining in Egypt is hazardous, with miners facing dangers such as falling rocks, toxic dust, and exposure to sharp cutting machines, all while earning less than $10 per day.
• 😀 Miners in Egypt's quarries work in dangerous conditions, including inhaling fine limestone dust, which can lead to lung conditions like silicosis, and face a life expectancy of just 45 years.
• 😀 Bird’s nest harvesting in the Philippines is a perilous job, with harvesters climbing slippery cliffs to collect nests worth a high price, but putting their lives at risk in isolated, hard-to-reach locations.

Q & A

What is the sulfur industry worth globally, and what is its main purpose?

The sulfur industry is worth nearly $13 billion globally. Sulfur is used in various products such as matches, fireworks, gunpowder, detergent, paper, batteries, and it also plays a key role in making sugar white.

What is the life expectancy of miners working in Ijen volcano, and what are the main risks they face?

The life expectancy of miners working in Ijen volcano is typically very low, with many miners not living past 50 years old. They face extreme working conditions, including deadly smoke, high temperatures, and exposure to toxic gases from the volcano.

What unique challenges do miners in Ijen face when extracting sulfur?

Miners in Ijen must hike two miles to the crater, carry up to 200 pounds of sulfur on their backs, and work in extreme heat and toxic environments. Many can't afford proper protective gear like gas masks, relying on improvised methods like towels dipped in water.

How much do sulfur miners in Ijen earn, and how does their pay system work?

Sulfur miners in Ijen earn about $17 a day. They are paid based on the weight of their sulfur loads, earning approximately 9 cents per kilo of sulfur. This pay structure makes their daily earnings dependent on the amount they can carry and transport.

What is the process for harvesting salt in the Little Rann of Kutch, India?

Salt harvesting in the Little Rann of Kutch involves digging 30 feet into the mud to access salty brine water. The water is then pumped into salt pans where it evaporates over several months, forming salt crystals that are later harvested by hand.

What are the dangers and challenges faced by salt farmers in the Little Rann of Kutch?

Salt farmers in the Little Rann of Kutch face extreme temperatures, exposure to highly acidic brine, and the risk of blindness from long-term sun exposure. They also lack access to affordable medical care, making their working conditions extremely hazardous.

How much do salt farmers in India typically earn, and what is the market price of salt?

Salt farmers in India can earn about $2,000 in a good year after months of grueling work. The market price for salt is between $2 and $4 per ton, which is far below the poverty line considering the intense labor required.

What is the significance of açaí in the global market, and how do Brazilian farmers earn from it?

Açaí has become a popular superfood, especially in the U.S., where it can be sold for up to $15 per bowl. However, Brazilian farmers earn as little as 20 cents per pound of açaí, with most of the fruit going to merchants who rush to sell it before it spoils.

What dangerous methods do açaí harvesters use to collect the fruit?

Açaí harvesters climb 50-foot-high palm trees using only a rope (peconha) for support. They swing from tree to tree and must be careful not to drop the fruit or their tools, as the açaí berries are fragile and difficult to harvest.

How do limestone miners in Egypt work in hazardous conditions, and what risks do they face?

Limestone miners in Egypt work in dangerous quarries where they carve blocks of limestone used in various industries. They face risks such as exposure to harmful dust, injuries from sharp saw blades, and the potential for falls while working on steep, slippery cliffs.

What is the role of busyadors in Southeast Asia, and why is their work so dangerous?

Busyadors are harvesters who risk their lives to gather swiftlet nests from caves in Southeast Asia. These nests are highly valuable and used in bird's nest soup, a delicacy. The work is dangerous because the harvesters climb slippery cliffs and caves with minimal support, often facing high risks of falls and injuries.

What economic value do swiftlet nests have, and how much do harvesters earn from collecting them?

Swiftlet nests are worth a significant amount, with just 2 pounds of nests being worth $2,900. Harvesters like Alvin Villarendo earn money by collecting these nests, which are then sold for bird's nest soup, a luxury dish popular in China and other regions.