Cambodia faintingsmoreinsightskatelarsenreducedfilesize

Supply chain labour conditions

Cambodia faintings2011, 2012, ongoing

Insights from NGO dialogue:1. Situation2. Causes?

3. What brands could Do.

Kate Larsen, www.CSRWinWin.comDisclaimer: Consultant Katie Larsen has prepared this report for the sole use of the Client and for the intended purposes as stated in the agreement between the Client and Katie Larsen under which this work was

completed. The report may not be relied upon by another party without the express written agreement of Katie Larsen. Katie Larsen has exercised due and customary care in conducting this research but has not, save as specifically stated, independently verified information provided by others. No other warranty, express or implied is made in relation to the contents of this report. Therefore, Katie Larsen assumes no responsibility for any loss

resulting from errors, omissions, or misrepresentations made by others. This report has been prepared at the request of the Client. The use of this report by unauthorised third parties without written authorisation from Katie Larsen shall be at their own risk, and Katie Larsen accepts no duty of care to any third party. Any recommendations, opinions or findings stated in this report are based on circumstances or facts as they existed at the

time Katie Larsen prepared the work. Any changes in such circumstances and facts upon which this report is based may adversely affect recommendations opinions or findings contained in this report. “

Katie Larsen www.CSRWinWin.com, Industry Perspective (late 2012). NOT an official ILO BetterWork document

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http://www.CSRWinWin.com




Why: September-November 2012 stakeholders engaged reILO Better Work/Better Factories Cambodia

Output:

Some more insights were gained into causes of worker mass faintings and related issues.

Client encouraged to share learnings to others working with factories in Cambodia.

About BetterWork (in Asia), Katie Larsen www.CSRWinWin.com, Industry Perspective (late 2012). NOT an official ILO BetterWork document

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Stakeholders Engaged:

Reports Reviewed:1. Better Work Synthesis Reports2. Tufts Impact Assessment report3. CleanClothesCampaign (CCC) reports4. World Bank report on Women workers in Cambodian Garment industry5. Numerous media reports on Cambodia & Vietnam garment worker conditions

Interviews re Better Work: 1. Better Factories Cambodia Country Head, Senior Programme Officer,

Assessors (4)2. Three American clothing brands3. Two European clothing brands4. One Vendor/Licensee

Discussions on Better Factories Cambodia and most insight into Faintings:

1. CAMBODIA NGOs:2. Tolu Mouen and Joel of CLEC Cambodia Legal Education

Centre who use CCC for international campaigns3. Ms Pheareth Ly, Women's Information Network (WIC) which was

formerly funded by ActionAid, now at Oxfam (unofficial) who also spoke in CCC international reports

UNION:4. IndustriALL representatives

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Fainting, injuries, & deaths from unsafe worker transport:

What are we dealing with?


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Unlike China or Vietnam garment workers in Cambodia:(Summary from stakeholder feedback)

• are Not provided dormitories (often free in China), and therefore,• live offsite, •need to pay to get to work,•have to stand squashed on cattle trucks to work,• are not paid enough for most to afford seated

transport or motorbikes and fuel,• and there are poor local transport safety standards.

Why unsafe travel by truck?


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What to do?

Brand Collaboration on Standards Improvement

Align with other brands to require all factories to provide safer transport within a time period.

One brand requiring safer transport or dormitories would price themselves out of Cambodia. But, if All brands required free, seated transport, e.g. within 18 months (like you require fire extinguishers), the whole industry improving together could make improvement possible.

Standing on truck in heat is also unique to Cambodia, as is such frequency of faintings.


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What are we dealing with?Ongoing mass faintings in garment factories in Cambodia:


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Why mass faintings?

Workers in Cambodia:(Summary from stakeholder feedback)1. Are Not provided dormitories (often free in

China), and therefore often get less sleep in poorer sleeping quarters, and

2. get behind with loan sharks as factories don’t help with rent deposit

3. and need to pay to get to work4. so have less money 5. so buy less food, and6. sometimes conduct field work before work

(from 4/5am-6/7am)7. have to stand squashed for up to an hour

in the heat on cattle trucks to work 8. then, after a 4 hour shift walk out to buy lunch

in the heat at the factory gate at the hottest time of day with little to no heat shelter.

Then.......Faint.

Mass faintings occur after single faintings. Why faintings at all?

“We do not eat enough, and do not have enough nutrition...”


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A Combination of Factors: Cambodia China Bangladesh Vietnam

1. Are provided dormitories No. Often get less sleep in crowded sleeping quarters

Yes, often free No No

2. Often take loans from sharks as factories don’t help with rent deposit so less to spend on food

Common (reportedly)

Don’t need help with rent deposit

No No

3. Need to pay to get to work Often (on trucks) Sometimes but wage higher, no if live in dormitory

Sometimes, but not by truck

Usually but wage higher

4. So buy less food, poor nutrition, food more expensive at factory gate than for central city

Common (reportedly)

Most factories provide meals in canteens

Bring home cooked tiffin meals

More meals in canteens

5. Sometimes conduct field work before work (from 4/5am-6/7am)

More frequent (in some factories where faintings occurred)

Rare Rare Rare

6. Have to stand squashed for up to an hour in the heat on cattle trucks to work

Common (reportedly)

No No No

7. After a 4 hour shift walk out to buy lunch in the heat at the factory gate at the hottest time of day with little to no heat shelter

Common No No No

8. Excessive work hours (sometimes 14-24hour shifts, 6-10 days work in a row)

Common Common Common Common

Why more faintings in Cambodia?


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didn't eat enough/

well enough

Feel unwell so go to doctor

who overcharges

Have to take loan at shark

rates

Losing money

Live in very cheap place, very hot,

can barely sleep, can get malaria,

bad water.

Can’t afford to eat better

Scared to spend money so don’t buy decent food

Didn’t earn enough/

don’t have enough money

Tired, less productive,

often sick

Faint? !!sometimes have to pay own doctor

fee

Intervention Possible (Some brands already caused factories in Cambodia to): Provide workers snack or free canteen food (as factories do in China)

Intervention Possible (Some brands already caused factories to):Provide better air-conditioning, fans, sanitation, (and work rotation if standing)

Intervention Possible (Some brands already caused in other countries with NGOs): a) Research workers spending partners (with NGOs, outside the factory walls) b) Provide workers training and access to fair finance/financial literacy training?

working long hours

Intervention Possible Standing on trucks: Require factories to provide safe free transport

Faintings in Cambodia and prevention opportunities


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What to do?


Align with other brands to require factories to:

1. FOOD: Provide morning snacks (Better Factories Cambodia suggested and some factories did)

2. FOOD: Work with worker representatives or survey workers to design a suitable canteen (some factories begun)

3. HEAT: With shaded meal purchase and eating areas4. MONEY: Work with NGOs to support access to

fair finance, financial literacy, etc5. MONEY: Encourage factories to build or fund safe

dormitories near factories6. HEAT/MONEY: Require free safe transport as a

safety standard (per above)7. HEAT: As done, continue to require factory air-

conditioning, fans, seating and ventilation improvement.


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Formerly: Didn't eatwell enough.

Now: eat a little better

Formerly: Feel unwell so use overcharging doctor. Now: Care for health, eat nutritious, sleep better, work a little

less.

Formerly: Have to take loan at shark rates.

Now: Saving a little

Formerly: Losing money.

Now: Saving a little

Formerly: Live in very cheap place, very hot,

can barely sleep, can get malaria, bad

water. Now: Can afford slightly better & sleep

Formerly: Can’t afford to

eat better. Now: eat a little better

Formerly: Scared to spend money so don’t

buy decent food.

Now: Can spend a little more on

food

Formerly: Didn’t earn/have

enough. Now: Earn a little more without truck, food & rent prices rising with

wage rises

Formerly: Tired, less productive,

often sick. Now: More

productive

Formerly: Faint.

Now: Earn more.

Formerly: Lost work & doctors fees if

faint. Now: Save monies.

Intervention (Some brands already caused factories in Cambodia to): Provide workers snack or free canteen food (as factories do in China)

Intervention (Some brands already caused factories to):Provide better air-conditioning, fans, sanitation, (and work rotation if standing)

Intervention (Some brands already caused in other countries with NGOs): a) Research workers spending partners (with NGOs, outside the factory walls) b) Provide workers training and access to fair finance/financial literacy training?

Formerly: Working long hours as need money.

Now: work more balanced

hours

Intervention Standing on trucks: Require factories to provide safe free transport

Create positive results for workers, factories, buyers

Intervention Sleeping conditions: Encourage factories to fund or build safe dorms near factories

Intervention Sending money home: Work with NGOs, HER Project etc & empower workers to take care of own health first


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Summary


Align with other brands to require.

One brand requiring:• safer transport, • snacks,• canteens, • dormitories would price themselves out of Cambodia. But, if ALL brands required,... (like you require fire extinguishers), the whole industry improving together could make improvement possible.


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• APPENDIX

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• With input from Bangladeshi experienced social auditor/CSR Manager [email protected]: "Rate of fainting is indeed lower in Bangladesh factories compared to what I hear about Cambodian factories. But fainting is there of course."

• Kate: Fainting observed Cambodia: young girl (early 20s?), after lunch, who had been standing all day in the hottest part of the factory after lunch (in a factory where they had to go to the gate and stand in the heat to buy food), skinny, overdressed (two layers) on a hot day with poor air-conditioning, and with poor access to toilets causing the girls to not want to drink much.

1. KATE: �Standing on Trucks in Heat Before Work: Many Cambodian workers are standing for about an hour each way on the back of a truck to get to work. I've seen them doing this in extreme heat. For those with poor diets or sleeping conditions (NGOs report often many in one room with poorer conditions than China), this adds exhaustion before they even start work.SAIF re Bangladesh: Bangladeshi garment workers "usually don't need to travel as far as Cam workers (about an hour each way) to get to the factory. Even if they did, it wouldn't be standing in a truck."

2. KATE: �Diet/Breakfast?: Breakfast: More NGO reports on poor diet or no breakfast in Cambodia? Cambodian Oxfam rep Pheareth Ly reported that prices for food at many Cambodia factory gates was actually HIGHER than that paid by white collar workers in e.g. Phnom Penh due to less competition, hence sometimes poorer diets. SAIF re Bangladesh: "their diet while possibly meager would usually at least include rice and dahl, which are nutritionally quite good protein wise" (and verbally indicated some studies say Dahl is in fact virtually a super food). Contrast this with CCC calculation of nutritionally deficient Cam factory worker diets.

3. KATE:� Work before factory work: NGOs in Cambodia told me that in some areas women are in the summer season doing agricultural work for 1-2 hours (4-6am) before getting to work to start at 7-8am. SAIF re Bangladesh: "they don't usually have to work in the fields/agriculturally before going to factory work"

4. KATE: Having to go out in heat at hottest time to buy lunch: �Cambodian workers frequently have to walk outside in the middle of the day (the hottest time for heat exposure) to factory gate areas with no shade to buy their lunch. SAIF re Bangladesh: "workers' cook their own food. Having lunch outside is almost close to zero. Breakfast, lunch, dinner all is home made/self made foods." Are most Cambodia faintings occurring in the afternoon?

But why MASS faintings?

5. KATE: Mass psychosomatic/sympathy/fear faintings as outlet to express desire for living wage?: In Bangladesh workers have been reacting to their lack of living wage and poor conditions by taking to the streets in protest. While this happens in Cambodia it is less common/united, and workers could fear such activity given shootings, and from what I understand, many factories being more spreadout (some Dhaka factories more downtown based?). *Personal Note (I have fainted out cold twice): I agree that there is a psychosomatic angle to the MASS faintings (even for one of my own it was combination of heat, no breakfast/lunch and fear of needles), but that said, the above points cannot be denied as reasons why the first are fainting in each group, and the individual faintings like I personally saw last summer in the hottest part of a Cambodian factory. I believe the girl picked up a little after a little sugary water (although was still sent to hospital) as I have also done when I fainted.

NOTES ON DETAIL OF WHY FAINTINGS IN CAMBODIA:


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Cambodia faintingsmoreinsightskatelarsenreducedfilesize