Factory Ordered to Close After Workers Faint

An umbrella factory in Svay Rieng province was ordered to close temporarily on Thursday after 63 female employees fainted due to extreme heat and a lack of oxygen, provincial officials said.

Staff at the Taiwanese-owned Towa Industrial Factory in Bavet City’s Manhattan Special Economic Zone fainted en masse at about 8:30 a.m., said Ou Sothoeun, deputy director of the provincial labor department.

“After our official came to check the factory we concluded that the reason for the workers fainting is because of hot weather and not enough oxygen in the factory,” he said.

“Some workers became dizzy and vomited, which made other workers faint.” Mr. Sothoeun said factory staff was sent home as officials conducted a thorough inspection.

“We ordered the factory closed to check the atmosphere of the factory and to protect the workers. If it is good, the factory will reopen tomorrow.”

Keo Rotha, director of the provincial health department, said 47 of the women were treated at a private clinic near the factory, while the rest were brought to the Bavet City referral hospital.

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