Sitting beside him, Binh's wife, Nguyen Thi Nhat Tan, 35, said that he has lost 20 kilos since developing pneumoconiosis.

"He used to be a strong man and the family's breadwinner," Tan said. "But now he can't do anything, and breathing normally is also very difficult."

Binh is among over 60 workers contracting pneumoconiosis after working for the Nghe An-based Chau Tien Limited Company, which produced stone powder.

The company has been closed since late last year after dozens of workers were found with health problems, and five have died so far.

Nghe An authorities fined the Chau Tien Limited Company VND 116 million (USD4,760) for its violations. However, as the case is still under investigation, the firm has only paid VND100 million each in compensation to the families of five deceased workers. In contrast, other affected workers have yet to receive any compensation.

According to doctors at the Nghe An Lung Hospital, Binh faced respiratory failure and pneumothorax caused by pneumoconiosis and would need long treatment.

Binh's wife said that their family has run out of money after spending all their savings on Binh's treatment over the past two years. They don't know where to find the funds to continue the treatment.

"We hope to receive support to save my husband," she said.

Speaking in a weak voice, Binh said that he hoped local authorities would deal with this case soon so that affected workers like him would receive compensation from the company.

"Five of my colleagues have died," he said. "I hope to receive the compensation as soon as possible to have money for my treatment cost."

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