22 April, 2008This International Workers' Memorial Day, April 28, the IMF calls for a ban on the use of asbestos, particularly in countries in Asia.
GLOBAL: The International Metalworkers' Federation wrote to the embassies and consulates of China, India, Indonesia, Japan Pakistan, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam in Geneva this month calling for a ban on the use of asbestos and compensation for workers harmed by asbestos.
Asbestos is the biggest industrial killer of all time and kills thousands from cancer every single week, at least one death every five minutes. In 2003, Asian countries accounted for nearly 50 per cent of global asbestos consumption with China (491,954 tonnes), India (192,033 tonnes), Thailand (132,983 tonnes), Vietnam (39,382 tonnes) and Indonesia (32,284 tonnes) being the largest users. Within the region, only Japan has stopped the use of asbestos, with Korea planning to implement a ban in 2009.
In addition to calling on governments in the region to ban asbestos, the IMF has sent to all affiliated trade unions in Asia a copy of Killing the Future; Asbestos Use in Asia, which was published by the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat (IBAS) in 2007.
Killing the Future; Asbestos Use in Asia documents the wide-spread use of deadly chrysotile asbestos in a range of industries across Asia, including shipbreaking in India and Bangladesh.
This IMF action is in recognition of April 28, the day when trade unions around the world organise events to commemorate International Workers' Memorial Day. The purpose of the day is to highlight the preventable nature of workplace accidents and ill health, and to promote campaigns and union organisation to improve health and safety at work. It is also a day to remember all those who have died because of their job.
A copy the report Killing the Future is available on the IMF website in English.
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