10 February, 2011Indian trade unionists called on the Quebec Assistant Deputy Minister of Economic Development to stop serving the asbestos industry and ban exports of asbestos to Asia as asbestos is deadly and it is a myth that it can be safely used.
INDIA: In the light of the overwhelming evidence that chrysotile asbestos is deadly and cannot be safely used, Indian trade unionists called on the Quebec government authorities, in a meeting held on February 4 in the sidelines of Delhi Sustainable Development Summit 2011, to act in an honourable manner by stopping serving the asbestos industry and put human health and human life ahead of political interests and financial profits.
Highlighting the call for an end to the use of all forms of asbestos and asbestos containing materials by international institutions namely World Health Organisation (WHO), International Social Security Association (ISSA), and International Labour Organization (ILO) and 55 countries' worldwide ban on the use of chrysotile asbestos, trade unionists argued that Quebec government should not allow its land to be used for mining a potentially hazardous material.
In response to Quebec officials' argument that 400 odd miners working in asbestos mines want the government to keep the mines open, trade unionists argued that it is very much possible for such a developed economy like Canada to find alternative jobs for asbestos miners to protect miners' health as well as the well being of millions of people in Asia. During the discussions they also underscored the ironical fact that all of the asbestos produced by the Jeffrey mine would be shipped to Asia and none would be used in Quebec.
In a memorandum to Clément Gignac, Québec Minister of Economic Development, trade unionists noted unanimous, strong advice of Quebec and Canadian government medical authorities and all the other leading medical associations on the deadly nature of asbestos and zero per cent success rate in practicing "safe use" requirements.
Indian trade unionists from All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) and Global unions India office representatives from Building and Wood Workers' International (BWI), International Metalworkers' Federation (IMF) and civil society representatives urged Quebec Assistant Deputy Minister Jean Seguin, Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade not to finance and reopen the Jeffrey mine and stop promoting and exporting asbestos in Asia. During the meeting Canadian authorities promised that they will convey the concerns to the government.
It is significant to note World Health Organisation's (WHO) estimate that more than 107,000 people die worldwide each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis resulting from exposure to chrysotile asbestos.