Fourteen workers hurt, four fatally when trench collapses.

The number of death and injury for Ethiopian laborers working in the construction sector is reaching an alarming level. The regime that is focused on selling land is not concerned about the safety of the workers. Four young laborers were killed while digging for a foundation for a twenty story high rise in Ledeta Kebele. It took over five hours to locate the bodies in the ten meters (32 ft.) deep hole. Four other workers were severely injured. In the last five months over twenty-four people have lost their lives while thirty-four have sustained heavy injury including loss of limbs.

The main reason for this avoidable situation is the lack of proper inspection and rampant corruption in every level of the government.. Fire and accident prevention spokesman Ato Negatu Mamo has pointed his finger at the day laborers for the problem.   ‘The day laborers are strong but not intelligent’ he was quoted to have said. His department has put the blame on the workers while absolving his Agency and the construction firms from any responsibility. The lack of basic Building Codes, non-enforcement by the Agency and corruption are sure to bring more harm to the workers.