"Families of Baldia factory fire victims seek justice in German court", 5 Jun 2016

While the Bhaila brothers bore the brunt of the blame for the Baldia Town factory fire, four families are pursuing a case against the factory’s sole German contractor in its hometown.

On September 11, 2012, more than 250 workers lost their lives in Pakistan’s worst industrial disaster at Ali Enterprises garment factory in Karachi...

Dr Terwindt, whose organisation is helping the affected families pursue the case in Germany, explained how “boss company” KiK procured nearly 70% of Ali Enterprises’ products…

Investigations into the factory fire exposed several irregularities in the corporate sector…

Explaining the liability on the German company, Klinger [the litigants’ attorney in Dortmund court] said KiK could not avoid charges on the excuse it was just a customer…

…“The buyer is legally bound to ensure the workers at the production unit have access to health and workplace safety. And KiK did not act according to the agreements it signed,” he added…

For its part, KiK reiterates its commitment to paying the victims. “KiK, a major but by far not the only European or American buyer [of Ali Enterprises], wants to contribute to aid payments for the affected persons of the tragedy,” reads a statement KiK emailed to The Express Tribune. “This support, however, is fully voluntary and does not acknowledge any assumption of liability.”

…“KiK bears no responsibility for the outbreak or fatal consequences of the fire,” he said. “During regular audits, certified auditors did not report any fire safety issues.”…