The Cambodian garment industry is plagued with issues like rise in vehicular accidents, which now pose an imminent threat to the industry. The recent multi-vehicle crash in southwest Cambodia made the issue, concerning the security of garment workers in the country’s biggest industry, more prominent.
One man was killed and at least 34 garment workers were injured when a container truck collided with a van loaded with garment workers at a high speed, leading to a multi-vehicle crash on a National Road in Preah Sihanouk province of Cambodia. The container truck had swerved to one side in order to avoid a crash between two other trucks, but ended up hitting the van instead.
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Expressing concerns over the garment workers’ accident, William Conklin, Cambodia Country Director of the United States-based Solidarity Center, said, “These accidents happen because other vehicles are not obeying traffic laws and a few proactive measures are necessary ensuring security of the garment workers. “Could the brands provide insurance for their workers in case of an accident? There needs to be an incentive,” he added.
The Labour Ministry also released a statement regarding the issue, stating that three of the injured garment workers had been sent to a hospital in Phnom Penh. Although Cambodia’s US$5.7-billion garment industry has grown over the past few years – alongside the unsafe transport of workers – crashes have become emblematic of a sector, whose approximately 700,000 workers earn a $128 minimum wage.
