manual: women workers' rights and gender equality - International ...

Notes for the trainer
During this session the most important thing is that the participants realize that there can be
dangerous situations at the workplace. They should become aware that they can ask for protection
from their employer in situations that are bad for their health. Of course this is only the case for
formal sector workers because they are covered under the labour law. However, informal sector
workers should be aware of these dangerous situations because they can do something about it
themselves. Do not pay a lot of attention to the Labour Protection Act in the session if the
participants are informal sector workers but emphasize the measures they can undertake
themselves. This includes self-protection and protesting to employers or middle persons who make
them do work under unhealthy or dangerous circumstances.
Occupational safety and health encompasses the social, mental and physical well-being of workers
in all occupations. Unhealthy and unsafe working conditions can be found anywhere, whether the
workplace is indoors or outdoors. It should be clear to the participants that a better working
environment not only affects themselves but is also positive for the employer. A healthy workplace
and healthy workers increase productivity in an enterprise.
Occupational health and safety are important for women and men alike. Women who are pregnant
or are breastfeeding need specific protection while they are carrying or weaning a baby. Men’s
reproductive functions also need to be protected. In addition, young workers (between 15 and 18
years), and women above 18 are not allowed to carry the same heavy loads as men above 18
years.
A few examples of what can happen if working conditions are not safe:
• On February 17, 2003, about 45 employees of Flying Dragon Cambodia garment factory in
Phnom Penh were hospitalized after losing consciousness because of extremely hot
conditions, poor ventilation and chemical substances in the air. The factory spokesperson
denied that poisonous chemical substances were stored in the factory or were being used by
workers. Nevertheless, it was reported that the factory owner would pay for all medical fees
resulting from the fainting spells.
• And something similar: almost 170 employees of a knitting factory fainted in 1999 after the
production room was filled with new chemically treated fabric.
In Cambodia the Office of Occupational Safety and Health is one of the units of the Occupational
Health Department under MOSALVY. Their activities are to supervise working environments and
working conditions. This is also the place where complaints should be made.
An important source for rules on occupational safety and health are found in various Prakas
(ministerial orders). There are Prakas on:
- safe-sitting and working space, Nº 053 MOSALVY, dated: 10/02/2000
- the distribution of liquids, Nº 054 MOSALVY, dated: 10/02/2000
- proper restrooms, Nº 052 MOSALVY, dated: 10/02/2000
- air circulation and cleaning of the working environment, Nº 125 MOSALVY, dated: 15/06/2001
- maximum weight lifted by human labor, Nº124 MOSALVY, dated: 15/06/2001
- conditions and duties of health service of the enterprise, Nº 139 dated: 28/06/2001
- working atmosphere and temperature, Nº 147 MOSALVY, dated: 11/06/2002
- work-related accidents and formula for compensation and level of disability, No. 243 MOSALVY,
dated: 10/09/2002
- solid waste management (sub-decree)
- air pollution and noise (sub-decree)
It will be very helpful for the facilitator to ask for a copy of these regulations from MOSALVY and
read these Prakas before doing this session. In this way you will be able to give more detailed
132