Bridges must act to ban importation of asbestos

Thursday, 3 July 2014, 4:28 pm
Press Release: New Zealand Council of Trade Unions

Bridges must act to ban importation of asbestos

The CTU is calling on Minister Simon Bridges to act on the eve of Mesothelioma* Day (*Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibres).

“Today in Parliament, MP Andrew Little tabled an asbestos containing product which was able to be easily purchased over the counter from a retail store. Minister Bridges commented that “The Ministry for the Environment is doing an inventory” of asbestos containing products – but we don’t need a list – we need a ban!” CTU President, Helen Kelly said.

“Minister Bridges can and should act to ban the importation of this deadly substance – our nation’s biggest workplace killer with an estimated 170 deaths annually and that this will rise to over 300 as the results of the ‘asbestos boom’ of the 1970s take their toll – the same as the road toll. Workers are being exposed to a deadly substance and paying the ultimate price. This is unacceptable.” Kelly said.
“There is an easy fix. Today in Parliament Minister Bridges said that “this is a complex matter… we have a sufficient regime currently in place”. We do not accept this, and the hundreds of people who are signing our petition calling on a ban on asbestos containing products agree.” Kelly said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

New Zealand Council of Trade Unions

Te Kauae Kaimahi

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi brings together over 350,000 New Zealand union members in 40 affiliated unions. We are the united voice for working people and their families in New Zealand.

Contact New Zealand Council of Trade Unions

• Website - union.org.nz/
• Media Contact - communications@nzctu.org.nz
• Phone - +64 4 385 1334
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Twitter - @togetherunionnz
• Physical Address - Level 3, 79 Boulcott Street, Wellington.
• Postal Address - PO Box 6645, Marion Square, Wellington 6141.