PAM’s El Hammoud Calls On El Othmani to Define Responsibilities in Light of Tangier’s Tragedy

PAM’s member of parliament, Latifa El Hammoud urged Morocco’s head of government Saad Eddine El Othmani along with the Minister of Employment to define responsibilities in light of Tangier’s tragic incident that claimed 28 lives, while calling for the integration of the informal sector into the country’s economy.

El Hammoud stated that the people of Tangier, just like the rest of Moroccans, are both sad and furious following the tragic incident that took place on Monday, February 8, in an underground factory that has been operating illegally for over 20 years, inside the basement of a villa located at Hay Ennasr, highlighting that the incident claimed the lives of 28 workers who were pushed to the edge by difficult life circumstances, causing them to accept working under the worse of conditions, provided that the said basement features no exits or relief outlets.

PAM’s affiliate and MP also stressed that the recent rainfalls in Tangier province have unveiled the unknown about this unlicensed production unit, for the latter did not only claim lives, but also exposed the greed of the owner who has been exploiting his workers, who were kept behind closed doors that look like cells, for they could only leave that basement once a day, which is during their lunch break.

This unlicensed factory, among many others, has been operating for long without a minimal supervision imposed by the authorities, most likely due to bribes and cover ups that promote such illegal activities while putting human beings at risk.