DAVAO CITY – Workers group called on Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz to resign, blaming the “collusion” between the capitalists of Kentex Manufacturing, Inc. and the Labor Department for the death of many workers.
Kilusang Mayo Uno pointed to Baldoz’ admission, made one day after a seven-hour fire gutted the factory located in Valenzuela City, that Kentex was given a “Certificate of Compliance” by the Department of Labor and Employment on September 18, 2014 for allegedly complying with occupational health and safety standards and general labor standards.
“The Labor Department under Baldoz colluded with the capitalists of Kentex in violating occupational health and safety standards, which resulted in the death of many workers. Baldoz should be held accountable for this crime and she should resign,” said Lito Ustarez, KMU vice-chairperson.
KMU led a march to the DOLE-National Capital Region office in Malate, Manila in time for the agency’s mandatory conference with Kentex capitalists and CJC Manpower Services Wednesday.
Ustarez said Baldoz turned a blind eye to the sweatshop conditions obtaining in Kentex.
“It would take a level of foolishness to believe the Labor Department’s claim that Kentex violated labor and safety standards after the inspection was held. There simply was no way Kentex could remove the crucial fire exits in the second floor of the building had these truly existed earlier, for example,” Ustarez said.
Ustarez said the labor secretary is trying to absolve herself from the crime.
“Baldoz has no right to investigate the capitalists of Kentex and their contractor; she should be investigated along with them,” Ustarez said.
