Family Accepts $9000 over Collapse Death
The family of a worker who was killed when a ceiling collapsed at Kompong Spue province footwear factory lasts week has accepted 9,000 in compensation, and in return has agreed not file a complaint against the company, the deceased’s wife said yesterday. … Rim Sarouen, 22, was one of two workers who were crushed to death in the ceiling collapse at the Taiwanese-owned Wing Star Shoes Co Ltd., on May 16. Authorities said the collapse was due to construction work that had been illegally contracted. … Korn Vet, the father of the second victim, Sim Srey Touch, 22, said …“We would demand more than $20,000. If they pay us, we won’t file a complaint against them. … Dave Welsh, country head of the Solidarity Center, a U.S.-based organisation advocating for worker rights, said a proper of compensation should be based on the workers’ salary, years of service lost and damages-which would bring it to 97,000. … “Paying off a poor grief-stricken family with $9,000 sets a terrible precedent, not just in the garment industry, but for any worker in the industry,” he [Dave Welsh] said. Mr. Wesh said the government should prosecute Wing Star.
