Another Workplace Tragedy: 30-year-old Thai Factory Worker Dies After Manager Denies Sick Leave

After the heart-wrenching incident of Anna Sebastian’s death, multiple cases of corporate abuse and toxic culture have emerged globally. Now, another incident of a manager denying a sick leave request has surfaced online, resulting in the death of an employee.

According to reports, a 30-year-old factory worker in Thailand allegedly lost her life after her manager refused to approve her sick leave request. The employee, identified as May, collapsed during work hours and died. May hailed from the Sukhothai province and worked at the Bang Pu Industrial Estate in Muang Samut Prakan province, at an electronics company.

May had been suffering from an inflamed large intestine and was on medical leave from September 5 to September 9 on her doctor's advice. She returned home, but her condition did not improve. On September 12, as her health worsened, she requested leave again, but her manager denied the request. Fearing job loss, May went to work the following day.

Unfortunately, just 20 minutes into her shift, she began to feel unwell and collapsed at the office. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery. Sadly, May passed away the next day due to complications related to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

On September 17, the company issued an official statement apologizing for the incident and May's tragic death. "At Delta Electronics, our employees are the foundation of our success. We are deeply saddened by this loss. Our first priority is to provide full support to our employees' families during this difficult time," said Mr. Victor Cheng, CEO of Delta Electronics Thailand.

The company also announced a formal investigation into the incident, stating, "Delta Electronics has launched a comprehensive investigation to establish the facts surrounding this incident. We remain committed to transparency and responsibility and will keep all relevant parties informed as more information becomes available. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, further details cannot be provided at this time. Delta Electronics appreciates the public's patience and understanding and respectfully requests privacy for the family during this sensitive period."

Under Thailand’s Labor Protection Act of 1998, the standard workweek is 48 hours, with overtime compensation for additional hours. Employees in hazardous jobs are limited to 42 hours per week. Workers are entitled to a minimum of six days of paid annual leave, and pregnant employees can take up to 98 days of maternity leave, with employers required to cover 45 days. However, the law does not address situations where an employee is unable to work due to health complications.

Just a week ago, Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old chartered accountant from Kerala , tragically passed away four months into her employment at Ernst & Young (EY). Her untimely death has raised concerns about workplace practices at the multinational firm. Anna’s mother, Anita Augustine, attributed her daughter's death to work-related stress at EY. In her grief, she wrote to EY’s India chief, Rajiv Memani, expressing her anguish over the circumstances surrounding Anna’s death.