Background
On March 3, 2026, after receiving reports that 19 workers at SHI HAO Handbag Co., Ltd. in Kandal province experienced symptoms of weakness in limbs, the Ministry of Environment’s Investigation Taskforce from the General Directorate for Environmental Protection conducted an onsite inspection. The factory produces handbags and is located in Prek Angchanh Village, Mukh Kampul district, Kandal province.
Scope of Application
The inspection focused on assessing environmental quality, specifically air quality, within the production building and adjacent areas of the factory where leather strap usage and handbag assembly take place. The inspection was prompted by worker health complaints occurring during working hours.
Key Provisions or Decisions
The investigation team measured air quality inside the production facility and its surroundings using monitoring equipment. Initial results indicated levels below pollution standards, showing no evidence of air contamination within the factory at the time of inspection. The factory had sent affected workers to private and local health centers for treatment, with 12 workers continuing monitoring at Prek Angchanh Health Center while others returned home.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
This inspection demonstrates the Ministry of Environment’s active role in responding to reported workplace environmental health concerns and establishing baseline environmental conditions. The ongoing monitoring underscores the regulatory framework requiring factories to comply with environmental quality standards and ensure worker safety.
Official Source
Ministry of Environment Facebook Post, March 4, 2026
