Dozens of garment workers in Kampong Speu province fainted yesterday, with some pointing the finger at pesticides allegedly sprayed by the factory.

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) said 46 female garment workers fainted in Voasar commune’s Cerie (Cambodia) Garment Co Ltd factory.

“According to investigations, in the early morning, the factory did not switch on the fan and then when the workers came to work, they started to faint,” it says.

Nineteen workers were sent to hospital, while the other 27 were treated at Sok Na clinic.

Soy Chan Thou, an official with the in-factory union, blamed the use of pesticides.

“Sunday was a holiday, so the company sprayed [pesticides] to kill insects, and [yesterday], throughout the morning, the company did not turn on the fan, so workers started to faint.”

Khim Vat, a district police official, said authorities were investigating. Cerie representatives could not be reached.

Pesticides were also blamed for a mass fainting in Kandal province last month.