Ban Asbestos Campaign Launched during International Commemoration Day

Expressing concern for the millions of Filipino workers who have been and continue to be exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) together with its affiliate the Associated Labor Unions (ALU-TUCP) and the Building and Woodworkers International (BWI) joined hands in launching the “Ban Asbestos Now!” campaign.

The launch of the campaign coincided with the worldwide observance of the International Commemoration Day for the Dead and Injured Workers (ICD). The activity was highlighted with a candle lighting ceremony, unveiling of the “Ban Asbestos Now!” billboard at the TUCP main gate and a legislative forum on two pending legislations-House Bill 3079 by Representative Narciso D. Santiago and Senate Bill 741 otherwise known as “AN ACT BANNING THE IMPORTATION, MANUFACTURE, PROCESSING OR DISTRIBUTION IN COMMERCE OF ASBESTOSCONTAINING PRODUCTS,” authored by Congressman Narciso D. Santiago and Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, respectively.

The centerpiece of the Ban Asbestos Now! Campaign is a special focus on policy advocacy. Jointly, TUCP, ALU and BWI will initiate efforts that will urge legislators (Representatives and Senators) for the passage of a national policy that will put a stop to importation and use of the substance in the country. This advocacy will be undertaken at various levels, i.e. at the plant level, at the Bureau of Working Conditions of the Department of Labour and Employment (BWC-DOLE), at the House of Representative and Senate, and at the Executive Branch of government.

Besides the policy advocacy, the following strategies will be adopted to step up the campaign:

* Education and Training for workers on occupational safety and health using the Participation-Oriented Safety Improvements by Trade Union Initiative (POSITIVE) Approach in improving working conditions;
* Advocacy for full compliance to OSH and other labour standards through fora, symposia, dialogue and the like;
* Advocacy for insurance coverage of asbestos-related illnesses and deaths;
* Collective bargaining to ensure that asbestos use at the workplace is eliminated and those affected are compensated; and
* Engagement with the tri-media (print, broadcast and television) to ensure wider reach of the campaign.

Highlights of the Commemoration

Unveiling of the Campaign Billboard and Candle Lighting Memorial

The observance of the ICD was highlighted by the unveiling of a billboard on “Ban Asbestos Now!” Campaign at the front gate of the Labour Centre. The rationale behind the campaign and a historical perspective of the ICD followed. Brief messages from the TUCP, ALU and BWI officials were also delivered. At least 100 trade union and OSH activists participating in the activity lighted candles and offered a minute of prayerful silence for all workers who had been and are continuously being affected by unhealthy and unsafe work and workplaces.

Policy Forum on Asbestos

After the candle lighting ceremony, a three-hour policy forum followed to discuss and provide the participants with salient information on pending bills in the Legislature. Specifically, House Bill 3079 otherwise known as “AN ACT BANNING THE IMPORTATION, MANUFACTURE, and PROCESSING OR DISTRIBUTION IN COMMERCE OF ASBESTOS-CONTAINING PRODUCTS” were presented.

Parallel Sessions

Parallel discussions on HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control at the Workplace and the Participation-Oriented Safety Improvements by Trade Union Initiative (POSITIVE) Checklist were held in the afternoon.

A focus group discussion on banning asbestos with invited participants from the government, from the academe and other trade union federations was also held. The discussion centered on how to improve further the existing union position paper on the two pending bills.

Signing of Commitment

Towards the end of the commemoration activity, participants signified their commitment to the campaign by attaching their signature and/or palm marks on the “Ban Asbestos Now!“ mural. Specific steps were also discussed on how to carry the campaign onward.