The International Metalworkers’ Federation (IMF) has endorsed the establishment of regional networks to achieve a global ban on asbestos.

The endorsement came about during the IMF conference held in Sweden this week where the AMWU moved the motion.

National Secretary Dave Oliver who addressed the conference attended by people from all over the world, said that Australia was already engaging in the Asia Pacific region, and this year attended the Asian Asbestos Conference in Hong Kong, where the Asian Ban Asbestos Network (ABAN) was established. .

Mr Oliver said annual asbestos consumption in Asia accounted for 58% of global use in 2007. The top asbestos consuming countries in Asia in that year were: China, India, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.

“Of the estimated 124 million people who will be exposed to the dangers inherent in asbestos fibres, 60% will come from within the Asian region.

“In Australia, despite the ban, in the next 20 to 30 years, a further 40,000 Australians can expect to contract an asbestos related disease, 13,000 of whom will die from mesothelioma. And this with a population of just on 21 million.

“The sheer size of the latent asbestos problem - let alone the current problems caused by the widespread use of asbestos throughout the Asian region - cannot be underestimated,” he said.

In India alone it has been estimated that 100 000 people are occupationally exposed to asbestos from within the asbestos industry with the possibility of millions more being exposed in the construction industry and through domestic or environmental exposure because of the reliance on low cost asbestos roofing and building materials.

The meeting of asbestos-fighting organisations from the Asia Pacific region which formed ABAN in Hong Kong this year, was a forum which could discuss the extent of the problem and the actions needed throughout the region.

Despite many setbacks in the fight to ban asbestos globally, the international movement for the total ban on all forms of asbestos continues to make ground with around 50 countries having imposed a ban so far. This success can be attributed the growth and activity in Ban Asbestos Networks, the role played by victims groups and the dedication and drive of all those committed to the goal including the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat. 

Mr Oliver drew special attention to Canada and the continuing mining and export of asbestos in that country.

“If there is a “holy grail” in the global campaign to ban asbestos, then surely that has to be the cessation of mining and export of asbestos from Canada. To succeed in Canada would be to deliver a fatal blow to an industry that seeks to profit regardless of the unnecessary death and devastation its products reek on the global community.

“More must be done to highlight Canada’s role in this insidious trade.”

Mr Oliver told the conference that organisation at the regional level was an important step forward in the fight to ban asbestos completely and in every country.

“Australian workers and Japanese workers, Indian workers and Brazilian workers, all deserve the same protection from this deadly substance.

“The standard for one should be the standard for all. Asbestos Kills. Asbestos must be banned.”