Cambodia's Prats-in-Power (4) Mass Faintings

It's not chemical fumes.

Nor is it the lack of food.

No,the failure of workers to look after themselves that is the reason for the mass faintings in many of Cambodia's garment factories.

"I want to tell you all that we have looked deeply into the situation of mass fainting, and it is not caused by the work, but mostly because of the workers’ health. For example, when they get a headache or are slightly ill, they don’t see a doctor, because they think healthcare is too expensive.' said one of Cambodia's Prats-in-Power, National Social Security Fund director, Ouk Samvithyea.

So hundreds of workers have a headache or are slightly ill and then faint all at the same time? Nothing to do with noxious fumes and meager, poor-quality food, Samvithyea?

And of course the workers don't 'think' healthcare is too expensive they know it is when there is just a few dollars to feed and clothe themselves and send money home to family in the provinces.

One Dead, Seven Injured Amid Violent Clashes in SL Garment Workers Strike (Video)

'November 12, 2013 - Earlier this morning, a violent clash between striking garment workers and armed forces, followed by two additional clashes between the growing number of armed forces and a crowd of citizens, resulted in the death of one bystander and at least seven injured in Phnom Penh’s Meanchey district. '

~http://www.licadho-cambodia.org/pressrelease.php?perm=327

Cambodian Clothing Workers Calorie Deficient

3,000.

That's how many calories a woman working a ten-hour shift of industrial sewing should consume daily. It's estimated that it would cost about US$75 per month for a Cambodian worker to purchase that 3,000 calories-a-day-diet.

Three Garment Workers Shot at Puma Factory: No Justice

Note: Earlier today [Tues, 21], former Bavet Governor Chhouk Bandith - accused of shooting three female factory workers during a factory strike last year - failed to appear to his trial in Svay Rieng province.

Cambodian Mad Men: Cambodian Bad Men (3) Take it or Leave it...

Two people died when part of a shoddy Cambodian shoe-factory collapsed recently.

Relatives of the dead- and one leaves behind a wife and young baby- have been offered compensation by the shoddy owners of the factory.

But it's been presented as a take it now, or you'll get nothing deal.

What kind of person and what kind of company fronts up to a grieving family and threatens them in such a way and at such a time?

The company makes shoes for Asics.

Cambodian Garment and Footwear Factory Conditions

55% of Cambodian garment factories do not have sanitary drinking water and 78% of factories monitored were found to have unacceptable heat levels.

Despite a legal requirement that workers do not work more than two hours of overtime a day, 88% allow or force their workers to do so.

Just 50% of factories are keeping exit ways clear. So should there ever be a fire...

Salary: $62 a month

Situations Vacant

Position: Unskilled Garment Workers

Number of Positions Available: 50,000 minimum

Start date: Immediately

Salary: The minimum wage as set by the Cambodian government is $61 per month. Overtime pay and bonuses can take a worker's total pay to $100 a month.

Hours: 6 days a week with overtime as required.

Toilet breaks: Often timed, with pay docked for 'excessive' time  taken.

Working Hazards: Workers should be aware that almost two thousand garment employees fainted while on the job last year. Reasons for this include hazardous chemicals, long hours combined with poor nutrition, panic attacks and mass hysteria. 

Travel Time: Phnom Penh accommodation costs are high. Therefore workers are advised that they should commute to and from work everyday and that they should factor in an average travelling time of one hour- to an hour and a half morning and night. 

Union membership: It is legal, although discouraged, for employees to be members of a union. Should there be a dispute and/or a strike expect to be abused and beaten by the police.

Cambodia's garment exports continue to increase; despite poorly preforming western economies $4.24 billion of clothing and footwear was exported from the Kingdom last year compared to $2.88 billion in 2010.

But that figure could be much higher, with factory owners- who are predominantly Korean, Singaporean and Chinese- complaining that machinists and other workers are becoming increasingly difficult to find.

Once, these jobs were highly sort-after; despite the low wages and grinding lifestyle, the minimum wage earned keeps many a rural family in rice. But with other opportunities developing- especially overseas positions as maids- many young Cambodian woman are shunning the clothing industry.

Can't say I blame them.