Baldia Factory Fire sparks 13-year call for stronger safety reforms
Thirteen years after the Baldia Factory Fire, which killed 260 workers and injured dozens more, families of the victims continue to demand justice and safer working conditions in Pakistan’s textile industry. Since 2012, they have gathered each September to call for reforms, improved health and safety standards, and transparent compensation — demands that remain largely unanswered.
Victims’ families say promised compensation is inconsistent and often mismanaged. The $5.15 million settlement from a major European retailer, once hailed as a landmark for Pakistani workers, has turned into a source of frustration amid allegations of private investments without consent and a lack of transparency.
Labour rights activists argue that weak enforcement, corruption, and global cost pressures create unsafe conditions. Inspections of hundreds of factories under the Pakistan Accord have found fire and building safety gaps, while recent factory fires in Karachi show that deadly risks persist. geo
Despite international frameworks and brand commitments, workers remain vulnerable at the lower end of the supply chain. Families of the Baldia Factory Fire victims say their struggle continues as they push for real workplace safety reforms, stronger enforcement, and lifetime compensation — determined that no other workers endure a tragedy like theirs.
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