Fainting Ends, Factory Resumes Work

Written by DAP NEWS -- Thursday, 15 October 2009

(Post by CAAI News Media)

The WILLBES Cambodia Co. Ltd garment factory was running again on Wednesday after a bout of fainting that affected hundreds of workers.

On October 14, the WILLBES Cambodia Co. Ltd stopped work while investigations were conducted by several ministries, local authorities and other concerned bodies. The Cambodian workers were found to be healthy and able to work as usual.

Areport from multiple controllers said that for two years WILLBES has hired another company to spay the factory to eliminate insects without a similar incident. Unfortunately, on October 12, nearly 500 garment workers fainted; every Saturday the company spayed for insects.

Cambodian vice Director of Health Department Dr. Pok Vanthath told DAP News Cambodia that “There was a mistake in the spray technology, so it caused workers in the factory to faint.” “The WILLBES factory was constructed well if we compare to other factories,” Vanthath added. “Our teams gave some recommendations to them to focus on the spraying and check all Cambo- dian garment workers all any time, because to ensure the security to their health.”

Cambodian general manager Srey Sothea of BILLBE Cambodia Co. Ltd told DAP News Cambodia that “Our factory will follow by all recommendations from the experts and report to the teams of experts about the list of anti-insect chemicals.”

Sothea added that regular factory work has started, but for victims of fainting are still relaxing.