PHNOM PENH (Khmer Times) – The horrific bus accident that claimed the lives of 18 garment workers and their driver has brought issues affecting the Kingdom’s workers and their daily commute into the spotlight. 

The 15-seat van traveling to the Tai Seng Special Economic Zone in Bavet City on Tuesday was packed with 38 people, and serves as a sobering illustration of the lengths many garment workers go to get to work cheaply. 

From Monday to Saturday, thousands of workers pack themselves into trucks, minivans or remork motos to get to factories in Phnom Penh, Takeo, Svay Rieng and Kampong Speu. 

The transport fee is approximately $10 per month for most workers, but companies pack as many people as possible into their cars and vans to maximize profits. Little thought is put into safety or driving regulations.

Pav Sina, head of the Collective Union of Movement of Workers, said the commute for many garment workers was fundamentally dangerous. Vans used for transporting workers are almost always too full and the drivers have little understanding of road rules and regulations. 

“At least a thousand vans are on National Road 1 from Svay Rieng’s town to the border of Vietnam, where the special economic zone is located,” said Mr. Sina, who lost two union members in the accident. 

He pointed out that many buses on National Road 1 do not follow the speed limit. Many others attempt dangerous maneuvers as they try to overtake the vehicles in front of them. 

“They are driving very fast and never value the other cars,” he said. “The government must talk to bus companies and traffic police to enforce the laws on the books.” Mr. Sina also called on companies to educate their drivers and make sure they have proper licenses. 

Ouk Sokhun, a 31-year-old pregnant garment worker who was in the van during the accident, said she was incredibly lucky to be only one slightly injured. The accident occurred only 20 minutes after the van’s driver picked her up from her home at 6 am. 

“I was on the right side of the van and the bus hit the van on the left side,” she said. “Now, I’m staying in Svay Rieng Provincial hospital. I have bruises on my thigh but doctors say there are no problems with my baby.” 

The carnage around the accident still affects her today. “I was very scared because I saw the other injured people,” she said. “I don’t want to go back to work again.”