The lorry involved in the accident was carrying 60 factory workers when it swerved to avoid an oncoming motorbike. Photo supplied
At least 17 workers were injured in a traffic accident on National Road 5 in Kampong Chhnang province on Wednesday, said local authorities.
The accident occurred in Samaki Meanchey district’s Sethei commune.
District police chief Seng Chenda told The Post on Thursday that five of the workers are employed at the Horizon Outdoor (Cambodia) Co Ltd garment factory, nine at Golden Apparel (Cambodia) Co Ltd and three at Kai Neng Leather Products (Cambodia) Co Ltd.
The three factories are located in Kampong Tralach district.
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Chenda said: “Among the 17 workers, three sustained serious injuries and were sent to Calmette Hospital in Phnom Penh while the other 14 are being treated at Kampong Tralach District Referral Hospital and Te Vanna Clinic in the same district.
“According to workers who were in the same lorry, the accident occurred because the driver tried to avoid a motorbike which was riding in the opposite direction. The lorry slipped off the road, causing 17 of the 60 workers to fall and sustain injuries.”
Workers who sustained minor injuries were allowed a day off to recover. Workers who sustained serious injuries were allowed three to seven days off without a salary deduction, according to factory representatives on Thursday.
Thy Kunthea, the administration director of the Horizon Outdoor factory, confirmed to The Post that after visiting the five workers employed at his factory, they were given a day off to recover without a salary deduction or the loss of other benefits.
Kunthea said: “They only sustained minor injuries but they are still suffering from shock.”
The administration director of the Golden Apparel factory, Mao Vannak, told The Post that his nine workers only sustained minor injuries. Six had left hospital on Thursday morning, while three others are still being treated at the Kampong Tralach District Referral Hospital.
Vannak said: “We gave a day off to those who have just left hospital without deducting their salary. We will also provide them other benefits.”
The three injured workers from the Kai Neng Leather Products factory were also allowed to have a day off without salary deduction.
“Our priority is the safety of the workers,” said a Kai Neng Leather Products factory representative.
