Statement on Working Accident at Thai Boon Rong

Statement

The Building and Wood Workers’ Trade Union Federation of Cambodia (BWTUC) and Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL) are saddened and shocked by a workplace accident which occurred on 29 May 2020 at 4 PM, causing the deaths of two Khmer workers at a cement production factory Thai Boon Rong, located in La’ang Village, La’ang Commune, Dang Tong District, Kampot Province.

These two workers were named Kon Tal (male, 31) and Menh Ron (male, 34) worked in quarrying and detonation for this Chinese subcontractor employing approximately 10 workers. Whilst they were working to mine rocks for Thai Boon Rong, rocks from the mountain fell onto them from above. Their bodies were extracted from the rock on the evening of 29 May at 7:30 PM and sent to their families for traditional funeral ceremonies. 

This is not the first incident, following the tragedies of building collapses in Preah Sihanouk and Kep Provinces. After seeing this shocking incident and in order to prevent workplace accidents in the future and promote workplace safety, the Building and Wood Workers’ Trade Union Federation of Cambodia (BWTUC) and Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL), request the Royal Government of Cambodia to push for the following measures:

1. Immediately suspend the Chinese subcontractor company and wait for inspections and evaluations from skilled institutions to be sure that this company has proper authorisation to operate a sub-contracting business from Thai Boon Rong.

2. Push for regular, effective, and transparent labour inspections to inspect safety conditions and standards at all subcontracting companies of Thai Boon Rong.

3. Provide adequate compensation to victims’ families, including dependents.

4. Search for the persons responsible and prosecute them according to the laws of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

The Building and Wood Workers’ Trade Union Federation of Cambodia (BWTUC) and Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL) will continue to follow and pay the closest attention to this accident to ensure that the victims’ families receive proper compensation and justice according to the law. 

Phnom Penh, 2 June 2020

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