'A dangerous sector': Memorial service held for Oxy Tower fire victims

About 100 people took part in a memorial service to pay tribute to the victims of the Oxy Tower building site fire in central Brussels last week.

The ceremony was held outside the building, which is currently undergoing renovation.

The fire occurred last Tuesday at the construction site employing 250 workers, and left six people dead. The victims’ bodies, all of which have now been formally identified, were found in one of the lift shafts on the site. Two other people were seriously injured and remain in a critical condition.

An investigation has yet to determine the cause of the fire and the precise sequence of events. The initial investigation has now been completed and workers have been allowed to return to the site for the first time since the incident.

During the memorial ceremony, which was organised by trade unions, union representatives laid wreaths in front of the building’s gates and speeches were made by Marie-Hélène Ska, general secretary of the CSC union, and Bert Engelaar, president of the FGTB union.

Engelaar said the fatal construction site accident proves that the trade unions must continue to make working conditions and workers’ safety key issues in their campaigns.

“I hope everything was in order at this site, but this is a dangerous sector. Safety must remain a priority,” said Engelaar.

“We haven’t seen such a serious accident with multiple fatalities in Brussels for a long time.”

The memorial service was attended by workers in the metal and construction sectors in particular.

“People who go to work in the morning and don’t come home in the evening - that shouldn’t happen,” said unionist Najar Lahouari.

“With all due respect, working in construction is not the same as an office job. Workers in this sector are at risk every day. Many of our colleagues have been deeply affected by what has happened. They realise that this could have happened to us too.”

Dirk Coninckx, federal secretary of ACV Bouw union, said a job in a high-risk workplace should not mean risking life itself.

“Unfortunately, workplace accidents do occur more frequently in the construction sector,” Coninckx said.

“We’ve noticed that they tend to happen more often towards the end of a project.

"We must await the results of the investigation, but we’re seeing increasing pressure on construction sites. There are fines if they’re not completed on time. Did that have an impact? It’s too early to say."

Coninckx emphasised that efforts had indeed been made in recent years to improve worker safety on construction sites.

Some measures proved their worth during last Tuesday’s fire, such as the mandatory attendance registration on sites, a requirement that has been in place for over 10 years.

“Thanks to that, we were able to find out very quickly that six people had been left behind on the site,” Coninckx said.

“But there are always risks, particularly on such complex building sites. Moreover, we’ve noticed that safety measures aren’t applied with the same rigour on all sites.

"In Brussels in particular, we’ve observed safety issues during site visits. We must aim for zero risk and must never lower our standards."

David Camerini, who works in the metal industry, pointed to increasing time pressure and competitiveness as possible causes of workplace accidents.

“We come to work to earn a living, not to lose our lives because of it,” Camerini said.

“We have yet to see what conclusions the labour inspectorate will draw, but there are far too many deaths in workplace accidents because companies want to make a profit. Workers are treated as tools, while companies are pitted against one another in a battle for profit.”

The sombreness of the memorial was in stark contrast to a party that took place a few metres away, just two days after the fatal fire. The party and accompanying DJ set was part of Tomorrowland’s Global Journey events, which welcome international festivalgoers to Brussels.

The citizens’ collective Platform Pentagone called the event "a disgrace" and "disrespectful and shameful".

Brussels MP Lotte Stoops (Groen) had called on Brussels mayor Philippe Close to call off the party out of respect for those affected.

“This shows little respect for the six families who are in deep mourning,” Stoops said.

“The site where this disaster took place must allow everyone the opportunity to pay their respects in peace. There are already Tomorrowland parties taking place at five other locations. Brussels is big enough to make alternative arrangements and not hold the party on Place de la Monnaie.”

The DJ for the event did begin his set with a moment’s silence in memory of the victims.

The Oxy Tower, former administrative headquarters of the City of Brussels which is currently undergoing renovation, is eventually set to house flats, restaurants and a rooftop bar.