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Over 400 people
died behind locked doors: Paraguay fire raises questions about safety in shopping centres A fire in a supermarket in Asuncion, Paraguay last Sunday killed over 400 people, among them were 80 per cent of the supermarket's workers. Reportedly, security guards had been asked to lock the doors once the fire started, to prevent looting. This trapped both workers and shoppers inside the burning supermarket. The store's owners have been arrested and are now charged with involuntary manslaughter. The Asuncion fire raises once again serious questions about fire safety in shopping centres, both for workers and customers. UNI Commerce will consult affiliated commercial workers' trade unions about the possible need for stronger international rules to regulate fire safety issues in commerce workplaces. In addition to rules concerning escape routes and emergency exits, construction materials and store design must be taken into account. An additional risk factor in retail and wholesale trade is of course related to products and packages, about which there is often poor information.
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