Briefs: Woman Critical After Botched Stillbirth Surgery, Jailed NagaWorld Unionist Receives Support From Europe

3 min read
NagaWorld union president Chhim Sithar, right, and fellow union negotiators leave a meeting overseen by the Labor Ministry, Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (Chhorn Raksmey/VOD)
[responsivevoice_button voice="US English Female"]

A woman whose intestine was cut in a botched surgery to remove a stillborn baby is in critical condition at Calmette Hospital, her family said, as the private hospital where the operation was carried out was closed down by health authorities.

Last week, Sieng Srey Oun visited Doeum Angkrang hospital for a surgery after learning her 5-month pregnancy was lost. But after the fetus was removed, the woman experienced pain and discovered doctors had mistakenly cut her intestine.

Srey Oun’s husband Pheng Voeun said on Friday that his wife was still in intensive care.

“The doctor told me that her condition cannot heal. There is no way to reconnect her intestine,” Voeun said.

“He explained to us, making a comparison, that now we are falling into a stream and he can help, but he cannot drag her back and is just holding her from falling fast.”

Voeun said his wife could move her hands and legs and talk, but could not eat.

He said he wished to go overseas for treatment, but was told it was only possible in Europe and there would still be little hope. He added the family had received some compensation and had not filed any complaint.

On Thursday, the Health Ministry issued a statement that the clinic’s registration was now being revoked. The person responsible for the “unprofessional work” and the clinic owner would face legal repercussions, it said.

The ministry added that the clinic had violated training and registration requirements, including notifying the ministry when relocating.

Health Ministry spokesperson Or Vandine could not be reached Friday morning.

— Ouch Sony and Keat Soriththeavy

Call for Jailed NagaWorld Unionist’s Release

A major European workers federation called for the immediate and unconditional release of NagaWorld union leader Chhim Sithar, alleging the Phnom Penh casino’s “attempts to destroy” her union amounted to a “severe breach of international labour and human rights.”

In a letter to the Cambodian ambassador in Brussels dated Wednesday, the European Federation of Food Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions weighed in on a long-running dispute that began last year when more than 1,300 NagaWorld workers were laid off — of which 1,100 were union leaders, activists and members, EFFAT said. The workers began protesting nearly a year ago.

“The strike was in response to NagaWorld’s attempts to destroy LRSU leaders under the cover of necessary Covid-19 layoffs,” said EFFAT, which says it oversees 116 trade unions in 37 European countries and more than 25 million workers. “NagaWorld’s claim that the layoffs were necessary due to the business impact of Covid-19 has also now been shown to be a lie; the company is making a good profit and has started hiring new workers.”

Sithar was initially arrested in January before being released on bail. However, she was rearrested after returning from a labor conference in Australia last month for breaching bail conditions that her lawyers say she was not informed about.

The European labor federation called on the government to reinstate workers who want to return, recognize Sithar’s union LRSU, and drop all criminal charges against union members.

— Michael Dickison

VOD. No part of this article may be reproduced in print, electronically, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without written permission. VOD is not responsible for any infringement in all forms. The perpetrator may be subject to legal action under Cambodian laws and related laws.