Factory mystery

THE M&V Garment Factory in Kampong Chhnang province will reopen its doors today after its operations were suspended after the fainting of nearly 200 of its workers over the weekend.

“The factory will reopen [Tuesday],” said Choub Samol, a union representative who works at the factory. “If any workers are in a good health condition, they can resume their job [Monday]. If they are still weak, the factory will not allow them to go to work, but will not deduct their salary.”

Officials from the Kampong Chhang Department of Labour and Vocational Training say they had looked into the case, but dismissed earlier claims that chemicals were responsible for the fainting spells. “The workers fainted because they were afraid when the electricity was cut off. There were no chemicals,” said Pao Sitha, the department’s director.

Choub Samol said the factory’s workers and union representatives made traditional Buddhist offerings in front of the factory yesterday because the workers were “afraid that they had done something wrong to the spirits who protect the factory”.