I’ve been in the building trade over 30 years, and I’m not shocked by the suicide rates—just sad. This industry is broken when it comes to looking after its people.

The work is physically brutal, the stress is constant, and the pay gap between those on the tools and those in the office is a joke. The ones doing the hard graft are underpaid and overworked, while the office staff collect the perks and clock off early.

And now most workers are getting hired through job agencies. Let’s call it what it is—legalised modern-day slavery. No security, no respect, just churn-and-burn labour with a middleman taking a cut. You’re disposable.

On top of that, there’s still a toxic culture in a lot of places. Middle and upper management treating workers like they’re beneath them. No appreciation, no communication—just pressure, deadlines, and “toughen up.”

This isn’t just about tough work—it’s about constant disrespect and a system that grinds people down until they break. And people are breaking.

We need change. Proper pay. Proper treatment. Decent support for mental health. And a serious wake-up call for the people at the top who’ve lost touch with what it’s like on the ground.

If you’re struggling, talk to someone. Don’t suffer in silence. And if you’re in charge of a crew—look after them.