More than 400 workers from a Chinese-owned window factory in Svay Rieng’s Bavet town threw rocks at their own factory yesterday out of frustration following a week-long protest that resulted in no concessions.

Choeun Sinouen, a worker representative at the Beautiful Windows factory, said the workers had been protesting since August 12 demanding better working conditions, such as fresh air in the building and bonus pay.

“This morning, at about 7, the workers were so angry that they threw rocks into the factory for about 30 minutes,” he said.

Sinouen said that workers still inside the factory lobbed stones back at the protesters, injuring two workers, although no one was arrested when police later arrived on the scene.

“The workers will gather in front of the factory again tomorrow if there is still no resolution,” he said.

Toun Saren, an official at the Collective Union of Movement of Workers, said yesterday that he told workers to avoid violence at all costs

“Yesterday, I told them on the microphone again and again, ‘do not be violent’, and I also reported to the provincial officials that if they did not have any resolution and the workers were violent, our union would not be responsible,” he said.

Beautiful Windows factory officials could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Koeng Khorn, Svay Rieng provincial police chief, said he would investigate the incident.

“We are investigating the violence this morning and will take legal action if we find out they really damaged property,” he said.