Workers fainting in Cambodia factories

A fainted worker recovering at the hospital.

Published: April 9, 2012

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, April 9 (UPI) -- A Cambodian politician is calling for a global boycott of Nike after fainting incidents at a garment factory that supplies the sports brand.

Member of Parliament Mu Sochua said workers are being exploited and international companies that do business in Cambodia should send in experts to investigate working conditions at the factories that supply them, The Phnom Penh Post reported Monday.

The opposition politician criticized government labor officials for failing to do more to protect workers.

More than 300 workers fainted at a Sabrina Manufacturing plant last week in Kampong Speu. The newspaper said 28 workers fainted Friday at Mirae Apparel in Phnom Penh.

"The brands are taking a big risk," Mu Sochua warned. "Consumers are beginning to learn what's going on."

Dave Welsh of the American Center for International Labor Solidarity said the fainting incidents were probably related to poor nutrition, forced overtime and poor occupational health and safety, the newspaper reported.