More than 60 workers collapsed at the You Li International garment factory in Svay Rieng province’s Bavet City on Friday morning due to chemical odors and sewage gases, a union leader said on Sunday.
The 61 workers began fainting en masse after one worker fell to the floor in the Taiwanese-owned factory that exports underwear to Japan, said Pav Sina, president of the Collective Union of Movement of Workers.
Mr. Sina said the workers collapsed shortly after a protective chemical was sprayed on clothing in the factory.
“There were two causes: First, an environmental problem—the odor from drains going from the toilet,” he said.
“The second cause was the odor of the chemical substances used to protect the clothes.”
Mr. Sina said the workers were sent to the city’s health center.
“Their symptoms were dizziness, vomiting and difficulty breathing, but they recovered after being sent to the hospital.”
A factory representative could not be reached.
Unions reported 1,806 faintings in 2014, up from 823 the year before.
