The family of a garment worker who died last week while working overtime at a factory in Kandal’s Kien Svay district yesterday appealed to her union in a bid to secure compensation from the company.

According to 36-year-old Chhin Phern, husband to the late Yon Sambath, 34, his wife called him on March 14 saying she was sick and wanted to come home, but the company would not let her, telling her to work an overtime shift of two extra hours until 6pm.

“She worked there over one year . . . her co-worker called and said that she fainted; I rushed to the factory and sent her to the hospital and she died,” he said.

More than a week later, the company, Somrong Thom Co Ltd, has not provided any compensation, Phern said, adding that funeral rites had already been performed.

Chea Mony, president of the Free Trade Union, said the union has met with the family in Samrong Thom commune and will file a complaint to local authorities.

“If the worker felt sick and asked the company to not work overtime, the company must allow her to go home,” he said.

But yesterday, company representative Tiem Kosal said Sambath had died due to pre-existing health problems.

“It is not relevant that the company forced her to work overtime,” he said.

Sambath’s husband insisted she had never suffered any serious ailments prior to her death.