DAVAO CITY – Labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) accused owners of Kentex company for asking the survivors and families of the 72 victims who were killed in a factory fire early May “to sign waivers surrendering their right to file charges in exchange for a meager amount.”
KMU said the victims’ families reported that since last Tuesday, the Kentex management offered P136, 000 in exchange for their signatures to a document that waives all their legal claims in relation to the factory fire.
“The capitalists of Kentex are again showing just how little they value the lives of workers. We condemn them for taking advantage of the economic hardships faced by the victims’ families and survivors in order to make the latter waive their right to file charges,” said Elmer Labog, KMU chairperson.
Labog said victims’ families and the survivors should “remain steadfast in their fight for justice and reject this meager offer of compensation in exchange for their silence.”
“We trust them, we trust that they will persevere in seeking all-around justice over this case,” he said.
KMU also earlier called on President Benigno Simeon Aquino “not to spare” the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) off its responsibilities in the case as it is “highly accountable for the worst workplace tragedy in the country’s history.”
