27,000 Vietnam Workers Catch Occupational Diseases in 2009

As many as 27,000 workers in Vietnam contracted occupation diseases last year, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs said without giving comparative figures. Among diseases, cases of pneumoconiosis due to dust containing silica accounted for 75.1% and deaf cases represented 15.4%, the Van Hoa newspaper reported March 4. The country also reported 4,000 pesticide poisoning cases last year, claiming 108 lives, it added. Vietnam aims to cut the number of serious workplace accidents by 5% and reduce the figure of people contracting occupational diseases by 10% annually from this year.