Phnom Penh: Heat stress poses a major challenge for garment workers in Cambodia, where temperatures in factories often exceed 35–40°C due to poor ventilation and increased weather effects.

These factors lead to a wide range of health problems such as dehydration, fatigue, dizziness and fainting, which directly reduce productivity by slowing down task completion and increasing work errors or absenteeism.

There are nearly 1 million garment workers in Cambodia who work in the garment, footwear, handbag and travel products sectors, with studies showing that more than 50 percent of workers feel less productive during the summer.

Health conditions in factories contribute to the problem, as many factories lack adequate cooling systems, which drives temperatures up.

Increased heat in factory premises can cause workers to faint and affect their health, especially reducing their productivity. Therefore, employers or factory owners should monitor ventilation systems, increase the supply of clean water, and implement other safety measures to protect workers from heat-related hazards and ensure a safe working environment.