More mass fainting occur at Cambodian garment factories

Last year, 823 workers fell sick in 15 factories due to overwork, poor health, exposure to chemical substances, and hysteria.

At least 102 workers fainted at two garment factories in Cambodia on Friday morning, a day after about 118 workers fell sick in two other factories, police said.

Yim Saran, police chief of Phnom Penh City’s Por Senchey district, where the incidents happened, said some 52 workers fainted at New Wide factory and 50 others fell ill at I.C. factory.

“They have been sent to hospitals soon after the incidents,” he said. “No one died, some have recovered after receiving medical treatment and returned home.”

He said insecticide was blamed for the mass fainting at New Wide factory, which has occurred three straight days since Wednesday.

The fainting at I.C. factory was probably caused by poor environment workplace in combination with hot weather.

On Thursday, a total of 118 workers at two factories also fainted due to tainted food and poor working places in combination with hot weather.

Garment industry, the kingdom’s largest foreign exchange earner, earned revenues of $5.5 billion last year. The sector comprises some 900 factories with roughly 600,000 workers.

Mass fainting has often happened in Cambodian garment factories.

Last year, 823 workers fell sick in 15 factories due to overwork, poor health, exposure to chemical substances, and hysteria, according to the report of the Ministry of Labour.
(Xinhua/NAN)