Lim Sarin, 23, from Battambang province, quit school in grade 10 and went to work in construction in Preah Vihear. He moves from province to province finding jobs.

“As labourers, we work hard and use our strength, muscles and energy more than our brains,” he said.

“I work 8 hours a day and sometimes I have to use my free time working on another construction site because I need more money to support my family,” he added.

His work comes with challenges.

“We work in the rain as well as sunshine, and normally have to hold many bricks, mix cement, carry rock and sand as well as long pieces of wood,” he said.

Sometimes construction is dangerous, when he is working on a building 20m or higher.

“In a high place, if we are careless we can easily drop things on each other, get injured or fall down,” he said.

Despite the risks, Sarin still enjoys his work and is proud when he sees his achievement when the bilding is completed.

“We are all really satisfied when we see the building that we have worked hard on everyday to put together,” he said.

To begin with, Sarin earned 3000 riel a day. After he improved his skills, he was promoted to master craftsman from labour worker.

“Because I have more experience, I have learned and try to understand the plan of the building. Now it’s a bit easier for me because when I have a plan in my hand I can just manage the work then lead the other workers.”

In the future, Sarin plans to work in agriculture.

“I want to farm on my field and do animal husbandry,” he said.