Dedicated Bale Workers Endure Brutal 38-Degree Heat
Title: The Challenging Work of Bale Workers in Extreme Heat during Wheat Harvest
Publication Date: July 13, 2023
The wheat harvest season brings with it arduous tasks for bale workers, as they tirelessly handle stalks and turn them into straw bales weighing 25 kilograms each. Despite scorching temperatures reaching up to 38 degrees, these workers bravely persevere, earning an average daily wage of 2,500 lira by carrying bales for 10 liras each.
Worker Tolga Kurudağ highlighted the significant impact of the hot weather on their work, stating, “Every day, we collectively handle around 5,000 bales. It is an extremely difficult job. Although the heat is a recurring challenge every year, we have grown accustomed to it. Nevertheless, not everyone can work in such extreme conditions; it is not for the faint of heart. Loading and unloading take a toll on our bodies. We start our day at 6 in the morning and continue until midnight, experiencing sleeplessness and fatigue. However, the earnings are good, allowing us to sustain ourselves through the winter. Without working during the summer, making a living in the winter becomes a daunting task. We often resort to construction sites or working as porters during the colder months. Our strength enables us to persevere.”
Another worker, Mustafa Bayrak, mentioned that they have become acclimated to the constant hot weather and have been returning for work every year. He remarked, “This heat is persistent. If it’s not scorching hot, we can’t secure the bales properly. It may be challenging, but we endure it. It is demanding both for those carrying the bales and those tying them.”
Mehmet Dönmez emphasized the difficulties of working in such hot weather, stating, “The scorching heat makes our job incredibly challenging. Approximately 3,000 bales need to be handled, and it is no easy task. The sun’s intensity makes earning money an uphill battle. The costs associated with tying, mowing, and transporting are burdensome for us.”
The devotion and resilience displayed by these bale workers during the wheat harvest season under extreme heat serve as a testament to their unwavering commitment to earning a livelihood.
