Trade unions and human rights activists have urged Quebec’s Premier to stop shipping chrysotile asbestos to India when his own government is spending millions of dollars to remove chrysotile asbestos from Quebec's schools, hospitals and buildings.

Today, more than 150 members of BWI affiliates – Delhi Asangathit Nirman Mazdoor Sangathan (DANMU); Nirman Mazdoor Panchayat Sangam (NMPS) and Mahanagar Asangathit Mazdoor Sangathan (MAMU) assembled in front of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in the Indian capital, New Delhi to register their protest with the Quebec Premier’s trade delegation and urged to halt asbestos trade.

The union activists carried banners and placards, and distributed informative material on the hazards of Asbestos (both in English and local language) among the public. Finally, the Quebec delegation was forced to pay heed to the protest, and a representative met the unions in the presence of police officers. A letter addressed to Premier Charest, and jointly endorsed by numerous organizations, was handed over.

Following the demonstration, the action shifted to the press conference, which was co-organized by BWI, Occupational and Environmental Health Network of India, New Trade Union Initiative (NTUI) and the Ban Asbestos Network of India. Representatives from both print and visual media attended the event and were provided with detailed information kits on the hazards of Asbestos. All speakers in consonance called upon Prime Minister of India and Quebec’s Premier to stand up to the powerful asbestos industry in both countries which is spending millions of dollars to intimidate and silence workers, doctors, scientists and activists who are all for banning asbestos.

Victims of asbestos related diseases, who are dying a slow death with no legal and medical remedy in sight, narrated their painful sufferings from the incurable and fatal illnesses.

Later in the evening,the BWI led delegation met with the Quebec media and a strong message on their government’s double standard on Asbestos trade was conveyed. It was reasserted that Quebec’s own health experts have told Premier Charest that it is impossible to manage chrysotile asbestos safely. The delegation unitedly appealed to Premier Charest to respect Canada’s great human rights record and to put people before profits.

(Quebec’s Premier is on a whirlwind tour to India with a big trade delegation)