10:40 - 13:00, International Conference Hall
Plenary Session 7
A World Free from Asbestos Risks: the Future Strategies
Chairs: Temmyo Yoshiomi and Barry Castleman
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Sanjiv Pandita
Occupational Safety and Health Officer of the Asia Monitor Resource Center (AMRC) and Asian Network for the Rights of Occupational Accident Victims (ANROAV), Hong Kong
ABSTRACT
Asbestos has been undoubtedly recognized a potential killer and major developed countries have either banned it or restricted its usage. This in turn has led to promotion of this deadly element in the developing countries by most of the asbestos manufacturers. Asia has emerged as a huge market for asbestos. China and India are the two biggest consumers of asbestos in Asia. Saudi Arabia is the only country in Asia to impose the complete ban on asbestos. On the contrary the asbestos manufacturers lobby has been promoting chrysotile (white asbestos) as safe under the controlled conditions. It is highly ambitious to think that Controlled conditions can ever be achieved at the Asian workplaces where the race to the bottom (cheap production) has already seen minimal expenditure on safety of the workers. No one knows how many workers are suffering from asbestos related disease in Asia due to almost non-existent reporting mechanisms for the occupational disease. Asian Network for the Rights of Occupational Accident Victims (ANROAV) is unique coalitions of occupational accident and disease victims, labour groups, trade unions, labour NGOs and labour activists working towards the OSH rights in Asia. It has members from more than 14 Asian countries. The paper provides an overview about the gravity of the asbestos problem in Asia. It also outlines the strong opposition by asbestos lobby in different Asian counties against its ban and even support from the mainstream media in many countries for its usage. The paper analyses the hindrances posed by many countries, in terms of differential lower tariffs on asbestos imports compared to the safer alternatives. The paper examines the campaign that ANROAV has launched towards the asbestos free workplace in Asia. The paper also provides insights about the possible strategies at the Asia level targeted towards the banning of the asbestos in Asia and compensating the affected workers. This paper is based on the rich experiences of the ANROAV members and on the case studies of some victims across Asia.