Canada Continues to promote Asbestos Epidemic

Press Release

Canada Continues to promote Asbestos Epidemic

New Delhi/05 May 2009: Alarmed by the epidemics of lung cancer caused by White Asbestos (Chrysotile Asbestos), a team of Canadian officials met an Indian delegation of trade unions, occupational and environmental health experts and researchers to discuss the human cost of continued use and trade of white asbestos products. This happened in the wake of the shocking act of Canadian government to continue its promotion of the killer fiber by “a grant of $ 250, 000" in its current budget despite Health Canada report indicting the Quebec and Canadian government’s disgraceful support to the asbestos industry and the recent report “India’s Asbestos Time Bomb” revealing corporate barbarism of worst kind.

The Canadian government in liaison with the Indian asbestos industry in collusion with government has unleashed a misinformation campaign about the mythical safe and controlled use of asbestos products, unmindful of the fact that so far some fifty countries have banned all forms of asbestos, and are already using alternative materials.

The Canadian officials comprised of Mr. David McKinnon, Minister-Counselor (Commercial) & Senior Trade Commissioner, Caroline Charette, First Secretary (Commercial) & Trade Commissioner and Madhusri Das, Senior Political & Economic Analyst in the
Canadian High Commission and the Indian delegation comprised of Amjad Hassan, Delhi Asangathit Nirman Mazdoor Union, Dr. T.K. Joshi, Occupational health expert, Gopal Krishna, Ban Asbestos Network of India and Anup Srivastava, Building and Wood Workers International.

The Indian delegation submitted a letter of appeal to the Government of Canada through its High Commission in New Delhi seeking to review its policy in promoting the use of asbestos, especially in the developing countries like India. The ILO has estimates more than 100,000 deaths due to Asbestos every year. There is no safe and acceptable level of exposure. This is the preventable industrial health calamity of the modern era and aptly reflected and recognized by the ILO and WHO Resolutions of Year 2006.

Illustrating the same Kerala State Human Rights Commission has noted that exposing workers and consumers to asbestos fibers of all kinds including chrysotile constitutes violation of human rights in its order dated 31st January, 2009.

Canada along with Russia, Kazakhstan, Zimbabwe etc. is one of the largest exporters of asbestos and we - the trade unions are concerned about your government's apathy for the occupational and public health of citizens and workers in India. Further the massive advertising campaigns in developing countries to make people believe that asbestos is safe, while the facts state the contrary is unethical.

For Details: (Anup Srivastava, BWI), (Dr. T.K. Joshi, Occupational health expert), (Amjad Hassan, DANMU) and (Gopal Krishna, Ban Asbestos Network of Network of India (BANI) Delhi Asangathit Nirman Mazdoor Union (DANMU), an affiliate of the Building and Wood Workers International (BWI) (www.bwint.org)

Letter to Canadian High Commission, New Delhi

05 May 2009
Mr. David McKinnon,
Minister-Counselor (Commercial)
and Senior Trade Commissioner,
Canadian High Commission,
7/8 Shantipath, Chanakyapuri,
New Delhi-110 021 (INDIA)

Dear Sir,

APPEAL FOR BAN ASBESTOS

Greetings from DANMU!

Thank you for the appointment for our delegation.

The Delhi Asangathit Nirman Mazdoor Union (DANMU), an affiliate of the Building and Wood Workers International (BWI) (www.bwint.org) appeal to the Government of Canada to review its policy in promoting the usage of asbestos, especially in the developing countries like India, Vietnam, Indonesia etc. The ILO has estimates more than 100,000 deaths due to Asbestos every year. There is no safe and acceptable level of exposure. This is the preventable industrial health calamity of the modern era and aptly reflected and recognized by the ILO and WHO Resolutions of Year 2006. Illustrating the same Kerala State Human Rights Commission has noted that exposing workers and consumers to asbestos fibers of all kinds including chrysotile constitutes violation of human rights in its order dated 31st January, 2009. The recent report “India’s Asbestos Time Bomb” is enclosed.

Canada along with Russia, Kazakhstan, Zimbabwe etc. is one of the largest exporters of asbestos and we - the trade unions are concerned about your government's apathy for the occupational and public health of citizens and workers in India. Further the massive advertising campaigns in developing countries to make people believe that asbestos is safe, while the facts state the contrary is unethical.

So far, some fifty countries have banned all forms of asbestos, and are already using alternative materials, we urge the Canadian Government to also follow suit.

Yours sincerely,


(Amjad Hassan) (Dr. T.K. Joshi)(Gopal Krishna) (Anup Srivastava)
DANMU OHSC-MAMC BANI BWI

Delegation

Amjad Hassan
Delhi Asangathit Nirman Mazdoor Union

Dr. T.K. Joshi
Occupational Health and Safety Center – Maulana Azad Medical College

Gopal Krishna
Ban Asbestos Network of India

Anup Srivastava
Building and Wood Workers International