A GARMENT factory has been temporarily closed after dozens of garment workers fainted there in the past few days for reasons that remain unexplained.

Chhrun Synat, the director of administration at Maurea Garment Corp in Russey Keo district's Svay Pak commune, said Monday that factory officials had decided to let their employees relax at home for a few days after around 60 workers fainted during their shift on Saturday, and about 70 more fainted on Monday morning.

"During this period we will clean the air by adding more fans in the factory," she said.

Hou Samon, the chief of Svay Pak commune, said Sunday that the mass faintings were caused by both factory conditions and workers fasting for the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. Workers at the factory, however, said it was purely the conditions that were to blame.

"I think that the other workers and I fainted from all the air pollution in this factory," said 21-year-old Sar Sareth after recovering from her spell at Calmette Hospital on Monday morning.