 |
Ataur Rashid Safdar, head of Oxy Reckitt Benckiser, bows as he apologizes to the victims of the company's toxic humidifier disinfectants and sterilizers, and their families during a press conference at the Conrad Seoul Hotel in central Seoul, Monday. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk |
Reckitt Benckiser short of details on compensation
By Kim Se-jeong
The head of Oxy Reckitt Benckiser (RB) apologized Monday to victims of the company's humidifier disinfectant and sterilizer products that were allegedly responsible for the deaths of more than 100 people. The company said it would set up a panel by July to negotiate individual compensation.
However, the belated apology — five years after the products were found to be responsible for the deaths and lung problems — drew howls of protest and criticism from the victims.
They claimed the company apologized only because it faces an investigation by the prosecution and a massive boycott campaign.
Critics also said the company fell short of disclosing details on how to compensate victims and its responsibility.
Speaking at a press conference in Seoul, Ataur Rashid Safdar, a company director, said the company will negotiate first with family members of victims who died, and people who developed serious lung problems according to government classifications. He said the company will take care of other victims.
"OXY RB accepts responsibility for the role that Oxy products played and the delay in providing an adequate remedy," Safdar said.
He said he is representing both the Korean unit and the British head office of Reckitt Benckiser.
He vowed several times before the camera and several victims at the press conference. "I would like to offer a heartfelt and sincere apology to all victims and their families who have suffered as a result of the humidifier disinfectant issue."
.jpg) |
| Ataur Rashid Safdar, right, head of Oxy Reckitt Benckiser, is interrupted by relatives of victims of the company's toxic humidifier disinfectants and sterilizers, during a press conference held at the Conrad Seoul Hotel in central Seoul as he was delivering an apology, Monday. / Yonhap |
Oxy's product was one of more than 10 brands sold in Korea until August 2011. Government-confirmed deaths from the products have reached 146, and 103 among them were Oxy consumers. Among all 530 victims, both dead and alive, 403 said they had used Oxy products.
Safdar did not elaborate on who will form the panel and how it will operate. He also didn't answer about the estimated amount of compensation.
"I cannot give the amount, as the panel has to decide that," he said.
He firmly denied the company's knowledge about the toxicity of the chemical used in the products, known as PHMG.
"What I can tell you is we never, ever knowingly sell a product that might be harmful. We'd also like to know the outcome of the investigation," he said.
Safdar said that if the prosecution's investigation discloses any evidence that the company's employees were aware of the harmfulness in advance, "We will take swift and immediate action."
A much delayed apology was not enough to console victims.
Some of the bereaved family members interrupted him in the middle of the speech and attempted to physically attack him during the nationally-televised conference. They also cursed at the director out loud.
Choi Seung-woon, a father who lost his child because of the use of the Oxy product, refused to accept the apology.
"It is just a show for Oxy to influence the prosecution's investigation and allay mounting pressure," he said after taking the microphone at the end of the press conference. "Do you know how often I called your office? You never answered me. Now, you say you're sorry before all these cameras. How am I to believe that you're sincerely sorry?"
After the conference, the Asian Citizen's Center for Environment and Health, an NGO helping the victims, also filed a complaint with the prosecution against eight employees of Reckitt Benckiser's headquarters for allegedly knowingly letting the Korean branch sell toxic products.
![[INTERVIEW] Preserving Tanzania's wonders through sustainable tourism](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/9606b2df96df45e0b85a8f8df5a15235.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
