Kentex fire survivor lauds SC decision on back wages

MANILA, Philippines — A spokesperson for the survivors of the Kentex fire yesterday lauded the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) ordering the company to pay 57 workers P1.4 million in back wages.

Ammied Rada, coordinator for the Justice for Kentex Victims, said their legal victory in the SC that reversed a Court of Appeals ruling absolving Kentex general manager Ong King Guan was a good development that would help in their other cases against the firm.

 “This will greatly help our other cases we filed against Kentex management. It only means that the Court is listening to our fight for justice,” said Rada, who is among the complainants in the graft and civil cases filed against Kentex and Bureau of Fire Protection officials for the tragic fire in the firm’s slippers factory on May 13, 2015 that left 74 workers dead.

Rada’s two siblings Ericson, 28, and Gerly, 16, died in the fire.

Kentex and fire officials face graft cases before the Valenzuela regional trial court for allowing the company to operate despite its blatant violations of the Fire Code, like the absence of a sprinkler system, fire exits and fire safety trainings.

The victims are also seeking at least P2 million for each of the victims’ lost earning capacity, as well as P7.5 million for moral and exemplary damages in the civil case.

The SC sided with the victims when it ruled that the appellate court erred in absolving the Kentex management of giving their workers backwages after the labor department found that the workers received a measly wage of P202.50.

The high court said the Kentex management’s move was procedurally infirm when it elevated the case before the CA instead of appealing it first before the labor secretary.

“While I was reading the news, I felt pride on myself that our fight for justice is not meaningless,” Rada said.