Government safety checks on trucks transporting workers have revealed that out of more than 33,000 vehicles, over 1,100 have met modification standards.

Katta Orn, Spokesman for the Ministry of Labour, said yesterday that recently the Ministry inspected trucks used for transporting workers to ensure compliance with modification standards.

Most trucks used to transport factory workers are modified flatbed trucks converted to carry passengers and often fail to meet safety requirements.

He said that the Ministry found that of the 33,332 vehicles carrying workers, including passenger trucks, 1,129 vehicles passed acceptable standards.

Recommendations by the Ministry included that old trucks be replaced as it will reduce the number of road accidents and increase the safety of workers travelling to work in trucks. Companies also need to regularly replace drivers.

In addition, to improve workers safety awareness, the Ministry has set up educational activities on traffic safety, hygiene conditions, occupational safety, working conditions, benefits, and the social security system.

“The Ministry is studying a number of options for companies to replace old trucks used to transport workers no later than 2027,” he said.

The Ministry encourages drivers transporting workers to replace old trucks for safety reasons and to ensure that they possess a driver’s licence.

National Trade Union Confederation president Far Saly, said that the problem with trucks used to transport workers remains a challenge. So far, there have been many traffic accidents, including fatalities.

“We think that 2027 is a long time to wait, so the Ministry should increase the travel expenses for workers and restrict the number of workers transported in one truck. The Ministry should inspect companies and make sure they have enough vehicles, otherwise the safety of workers cannot be guaranteed, and the truck driver must have a driver’s license and obey the traffic law,” he said.

Last week, a truck transporting garment workers collided with a freight truck in southwest Cambodia’s Preah Sihanouk province, leaving two people dead and injuring 24 others.

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has confirmed that as of the first quarter of 2023, nearly 700 workers across Cambodia were seriously injured and 17 workers died commuting to and from work.

According to a report by the Road Safety Working Group for Workers, in the first quarter of 2023, there were 636 road traffic accidents involving 696 workers with 17 workers killed and 200 seriously injured and 479 slightly injured. Traffic accidents are hidden killers that not only cause deaths, injuries and disabilities but also create a tragedy that affects the family’s economy and national economy.

• Tags: Transport trucks