Investment banking is a very difficult and competitive industry, with really intense standards for people who work in the field. The culture of the industry takes a demanding toll on the people, with long hours and intense stress.
How can you possibly deride the work they do, and praise a laborer? Both are important jobs, but investment banking requires knowledge and intelligence far beyond construction. It's more a matter of different problems, and different skills. A banker makes a lot of money, but has to work long hours. Construction workers need much more physical ability.
The article is addressing a much needed issue in Investment Banking's culture, and perhaps our society in general; how much is your health, and your life, worth?
Would you sell ten years of your life for 1 Million? How about only five years for 2 Million?
We all sell ourselves, and anyone who doesn't is lying.
The real question is what's your price? $10 an hour? Certainly not me