PHNOM PENH: The newly announced Better Factories Cambodia (BFC) programme will pilot an automated system that will monitor heat levels, humidity and other environmental conditions in factories and other large commercial sites. The move is considered essential for the health and safety of workers, particularly during the dry season.
The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training is partnering with the International Labour Organization (ILO) to introduce the new initiative.
Labour minister Heng Sour announced the BFC during a May 13 event, held to celebrate “World Day for Safety and Health at Work”.
This year’s event, themed “Join us in Protecting Workers from Heat Stress and Promoting Mental Health at Work”, was staged at the Royal Group Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone. Approximately 1,300 workers from nearby factories joined the event.
The minister explained that this year’s aimed to encourage greater awareness and attention from all stakeholders to better understand the impacts of heat stress and mental stress, and to jointly develop comprehensive preventive measures.
He highlighted how climate change is negatively affecting the environment and human health worldwide, adding that the ministry is currently drafting an updated occupational safety and health law which includes measures to prevent heat stress and promote mental health, in line with recommendations from Prime Minister Hun Manet.
Alongside strengthening law enforcement mechanisms and workplace risk assessments, the minister stressed that investment in heat management systems and workers’ mental health should not be seen as a financial burden, but rather as a strategic investment to improve productivity and ensure business sustainability.
“In this context, the ministry will pilot an automated technical system to monitor heat levels, odours and humidity in factories,” Sour said, adding that at the same time, awareness campaigns about the impacts of heat stress and mental health are being promoted to ensure a safe and comfortable working environment for the kingdom’s hundreds of thousands of factory workers.
He urged labour inspectors to encourage commercial operations to introduce heat monitoring systems, rapid information systems and effective occupational safety and health management systems (OSH), as well as continued cooperation with development partners and the use of tripartite mechanisms to expand protection for workers.
Sour reminded workers that they can report any non-compliance issues related to workplace safety through the 1286 hotline or by scanning the anonymous complaint QR code.
The minister expressed confidence that cooperation and increased attention to mental health and heat stress prevention will become a strong foundation for improving workers’ quality of life and the national economy as a whole. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
