**Family Demands Closure of Factory Following Tragic Worker Death**
Family members of Eduardo Franco Ortiz, who tragically lost his life after being crushed by a machine at the Prime Wheel factory, are calling for justice and demanding the closure of the company. The incident, occurring in the factory known for manufacturing wheels in Ejido Chilpancingo, was reported late Monday night.
Carmen Morales, Eduardo’s former partner, stated that the company pressured workers to handle maintenance tasks they were not trained for, despite having qualified personnel available. She stressed, “He would often tell me that the machines never received maintenance and he was always scolded. He sometimes did things he shouldn’t do, and this was the consequence.”
Eduardo, 31, was described as a joyful person who was committed to his work and had no known conflicts, Carmen added, “He didn’t deserve to die like this.”
The family learned of his death through social media rather than a formal notification from the company, as told by Jorge Franco, Eduardo’s uncle. Despite having contact information for emergencies, Jorge claimed, the company failed to inform them directly.
Jorge expressed the family’s unexpected grief and their demand for more information from the State Attorney General’s Office (FGE) to verify the company’s claim that it’s a workplace accident. He also highlighted previous incidents within the company, notably the disappearance of Servando Salazar Cano in late August, for which three individuals are currently facing legal proceedings.
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**Safety Concerns Spark Stricter Regulations**
Following this incident and other safety concerns, authorities inspected Prime Wheel to ensure compliance with safety standards aimed at protecting its 5,000 employees. This step comes amidst increasing scrutiny over workplace safety in the region, indicating a broader push for safer working conditions across industries.
Additionally, initiatives are underway in nearby San Quintín and San Felipe to prioritize development projects that could include enhancing worker safety protocols. These efforts are supported by organizations focused on cross-border improvements, highlighting the growing concern over labor conditions and their social impacts.
As more stories of workplace safety issues emerge, particularly within high-risk industries, the call for comprehensive safety reforms grows louder, seeking to prevent further tragedies like that of Eduardo Franco Ortiz.