Victims’ families demand compensation in one go through SHC

The heirs of the victims of the Baldia factory fire tragedy have demanded that the German clothing retailer KiK should pay the compensation in one go through the Sindh High Court (SHC) which, they contend, is the most transparent process.

Speaking at a presser held at the Karachi Press Club on Friday, they maintained that they had rejected the proposal that the money would distributed through the Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI).

They expressed that SESSI would not ensure transparency in the process of money distribution.

They further demanded that the International Labour Organisation (ILO) should start direct negotiations with them.

Saeeda Khatoon, chairperson of the Ali Enterprises Factory Fire Affectees Association, said the German factory Kik had paid US$5.15 million last September after a long struggle. The money, she said, was with the ILO.

sIn May this year, she said, an ILO delegation visited the country again and told the next-of-kin of the victims that they would be paid compensation in monthly instalments from SESSI. “But we have no confidence in this organisation.”

After pressing them to disclose the amount of compensation, after a great bit of hesitation, the ILO informed them that the widows would get Rs9,000 while the parents of the next-of-kin would get Rs2,800.

The irony of the situation, she said, was that most workers killed in the fire were unmarried and they were financially a prop to their parents and siblings. “How could their heirs be expected to make both ends meet with a mere Rs2,800 in these days of back-breaking inflation?”, she asked.

The victims have rejected the suggestion of getting the money through SESSI. They have also written to the ILO country director about their reservations but the reply is still awaited.

The affectees said they believed that the meagre amount proposed to them in the name of long-term payment could not make things easier for them. In fact, they opined, it would add to their woes.

They demanded the compensation in lump sum through the SHC and also demanded that the ILO should start off direct negotiations with them.

The affectees maintained that they would also move their plea in the main case pending with an anti-terrorism court.

One of the affectees there was a young boy, Jamil, whose brother’s body has never been found as the DNA reports of so many victims have not been furnished to this day.

They said that they would also approach the relevant department for the case of their group insurance, gratuity, bonus, pension, and leave encashment.