On 25th September 2008, the much-awaited publication – India’s Asbestos Time Bomb capturing the Indian Asbestos scenario was released in Mumbai and simultaneous events were organized by BWI affiliates in some other major cities of India.

The publication has been released at very crucial juncture when the Indian Government is preparing itself to take part in the Rotterdam Convention meeting to be held in Rome from 27 to 31 October 2008. To lend strength to its advocacy work on the ban asbestos campaign, the BWI South Asia Office has sent copies of this important publication to all concerned ministries and the Prime Minister of India.

In Mumbai, about 50 people, including trade unionists, asbestos victims, civil society, advocacy groups and media took part in the book launch. The statement to the media in Mumbai was crisp and clear that “the only way for the government to remedy the situation created by the asbestos industry is to implement a complete ban on the mining, manufacture, use and trade of all kinds of asbestos including chrysotile (white) asbestos”.

At Chennai, a 15-member TCWF delegation met the State Labour Minister of Tamil Nadu and handed over a copy of the book. Bro. Pon Kumar, TKTMS President apprised the minister of the trade union initiatives in sensitizing workers on asbestos hazards and also the ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration with the Cancer Institute in Chennai. On his part, the minister assured the trade union representatives of placing the issue before the state cabinet and also informed that the government of Tamil Nadu had already initiated steps to use alternative material in rural housing.

In Kolkata, ERCCMU organized a small press meet at the HMS (National Trade Union Centre) West Bengal State Headquarters. About 12 journalists from various local dailies had assembled. Speaking on the occasion, ERCCMU General Secretary, Bro. R.N. Pandey mentioned “the Indian government’s increasing support to the asbestos industry stands in total contradiction of the stance adopted by many countries and international bodies including ILO and WHO – all of whom are for a ban on asbestos”. At Ahmedabad (Gujarat State), union office bearers of BMS handed over a copy of the book to senior officials of the state labour department.