Kentex’s many violations caused biggest factory fire casualty – NGOs

NO WAY OUT
Workers of the gutted Kentex Manufacturing peer from the window of the guard house as members of labor groups hold a sympathy protest in front of the gates of the footwear factory, three days after the factory was gutted by a fire killing 72 of its workers, in Valenzuela City in suburban Manila on Friday, May 15. AFP Photo

Even as Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian, Kentex legal counsel Renato Paraiso and Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz are telling the media about the factory owners’ compliance with labor standards, building requirements and fire and safety requirements, the death of 72 people, as of the last count, because of the fire and the tales of how the workers were treated at work are drawing outrage and calls for justice.