Bangkok.- The International Labour Organization (ILO) today called on Cambodia for measures to prevent accidents such as the collapse of a building under construction that killed at least 28 workers and injured 26 others last Saturday in the coastal city of Sihanoukville. “This loss of life is another test of the risks workers face every day and requires an urgent response to improve safety and hygienic conditions in the workplace,” the ILO advised in a statement.
The UN-dependent organization noted that worker deaths occurred while working in the building, while denouncing measures such as a review of occupational hazard regulations, more labour inspections and information campaigns to prevent accidents. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen called the accident “painful tragedy” in Sihanoukville yesterday and called for donations for those affected, in messages on his Facebook profile.
The leader used the same social network to announce that he accepted the resignation made to him by the governor of Preah Sihanouk province, whose capital is Sihanoukville, Yin Min, and the dismissal of the minister in charge of disaster management, Nhim Vanda, for his “lack knowledge and lies.” Sihanoukville is a popular tourist destination on the coast of southern Cambodia, which in recent years has received significant Chinese investment in the construction of hotels and casinos aimed mainly at tourists from the Asian giant. According to the Ministry of Labour, 25,206 workplace accidents were recorded last year, with 200 workers deceased and 2,711 injured.
Original source in Spanish
