<P> Because the owners had locked the doors to the stairwells and exits -- a then - common practice to prevent workers from taking unauthorized breaks and to reduce theft -- many of the workers who could not escape from the burning building jumped from the high windows . The fire led to legislation requiring improved factory safety standards and helped spur the growth of the International Ladies ' Garment Workers ' Union ( ILGWU ) , which fought for better working conditions for sweatshop workers . </P>
<P> Because the owners had locked the doors to the stairwells and exits -- a then - common practice to prevent workers from taking unauthorized breaks and to reduce theft -- many of the workers who could not escape from the burning building jumped from the high windows . The fire led to legislation requiring improved factory safety standards and helped spur the growth of the International Ladies ' Garment Workers ' Union ( ILGWU ) , which fought for better working conditions for sweatshop workers . </P>
why were the doors to the exits and stairwells locked in this factory
why were the doors to the exits and stairwells locked in this factory
to prevent workers from taking unauthorized breaks to reduce theft
to prevent workers from taking unauthorized breaks to reduce theft