Moroccan tragedy factory was known by authorities

TANGIERS – The longest-serving employee at the Moroccan garment factory where 28 people died last week had been working at the factory for ten years. The evidence emerged this week as unions moved to correct media reports that this was a ‘secret’ factory which the authorities were unaware of. Unions claim that, in actual fact, all 100+ employees at the factory were declared to the Morocco’s social security fund, indicating the authorities were aware the factory was in operation.

28 workers were killed when the garment factory was flooded by rainwater. Local reports suggest the factory, located in the basement of a residential building, did not meet necessary health and safety conditions and was carrying out sub-contracting work, allegedly illegally.