The battle for a global ban on asbestos must continue

UITBB Statement on the Rotterdam deadlock

monodetrabajadorThe Rotterdam Convention talks in Rome have ended on the 31st of October 2008 in a deadlock.

Under the leadership of Canada the main asbestos producing and exporting countries have succeeded in preventing once more the inclusion of chrysotile asbestos on the list of substances subject to prior informed consent (PIC).

Out of 126 countries attending, only 8 countries India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Vietnam, Mexico, Philippines and Ukraine opposed its inclusion.

Chrysotile asbestos is classified as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the position of the WHO and the ILO in favour of a global ban is clear.

Asbestos causes approximately 100 000 slow and painful deaths every year. Asbestos is still being produced and used because it is a cheap product and generates huge profits for producing countries such as Canada.

The UITBB together with other international trade unions and NGO’s have for many years demanded a total ban on the production, trade and use of this lethal fibre, and for just compensation for its victims and their families. The corporations who profit from it must be forced to pay this compensation.

crisotiloAlthough including chrysotile asbestos on the PIC list would not automatically lead to a such a ban, it would submit the export and import of chrysotile asbestos to the PIC procedure. In these countries it puts the onus on asbestos using corporations to safeguard their workforces from its effects. Also it would finally oblige those who trade asbestos to face their responsibility in public.

The UITBB calls upon its member and supporter unions to intensify their campaign against any government continuing to support asbestos use.

This lethal trade must end!

Chrysotile or white asbestos