Please send the model letter from unions to national governments reminding them about national action plans to eliminate asbestos diseases and asking to have a meeting with the relevant ministries to discuss the way forward.

We recommend that you attach the ILO Resolution you can download here and the ILO WHO advice on development of national action plans here.

Please forward a copy of your letter to fiona.murie@bwint.org or info@bwint.org


Model letter

Dear Sir or Madam,

RE: Elimination of asbestos related diseases

As a trade union representing the health, safety and welfare of workers in the building trades, we are deeply concerned about the health hazards of working with asbestos containing materials. We attach here the Resolution concerning the use of asbestos adopted by International Labour Organisation at their Conference in 2006, and the new ILO /World Health Organisation advice on the “Development of National Action Programmes for the Elimination of Asbestos- related Diseases”.

As you will note, both organisations call for national action programmes to address the problem of asbestos, and call for technical cooperation and assistance to national governments who wish to develop such initiatives.

Therefore, we would request a meeting at your earliest convenience to have the opportunity to discuss with you how we might develop a national action programme for the construction industry to prevent exposure to this hazardous substance. We are aware that forty countries have already banned all use of asbestos, and have introduced prevention programmes for exposure to asbestos already installed in buildings. In those countries, all parties concerned were involved in the development of the programme. That is, the various Ministries with competencies, such as Health, Labour, Public Works, trade and Industry and Housing, as well as trade unions, manufacturers and contractors.

We look forward to contributing positively to the protection of workers health, and supporting all government initiatives in this regard.

Yours Sincerely