Posted on April 6, 2017
Each year, ADAO dedicates April 1-7 to increasing awareness of asbestos and preventing exposure by bringing together experts and victims from around the world to share, learn, and take action. To view all 7 days of Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW) contributors and content on our landing page, please click here.
Asbestos is a known carcinogen and there is no safe level of exposure. Since the 19th century, asbestos was widely used in construction, shipbuilding, and the automotive industry. Without a ban, asbestos remains legal and lethal in the USA and nearly 70% of countries around the world today.
Today, we’re highlighting the work of the Australian People for Health and Education Development Abroad (APHEDA), and their highly successful campaign “Asbestos: Not Here, Not Anywhere.” We will also feature the powerful story of Day Six Ambassador: Sara Babin: “Someone Pulled the Emergency Brake!”
Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA is the global justice organisation of the Australian trade union movement. Our purpose is to work globally in partnership for the achievement of dignity at work, social justice, economic equality and the realisation of human rights. We work to achieve this through strong unions and social movements, sustainable development programs, global solidarity and support at times of crisis.
For decades, Australian unions and their members fought a long, hard fight against the powerful asbestos industry. Working in coalition with victims’ groups, medical professionals and community activists, we achieved an important victory in 2003 when Australia banned all forms of asbestos.
But for Australian unionists, the fight is not over yet. Every day, hundreds of thousands of people around the world are exposed to deadly asbestos fibres in their workplaces, homes and communities. We believe that as long as asbestos is being used anywhere, it remains a risk, everywhere.
Asbestos. Not here. Not anywhere.
Since 2010, Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA has been helping build momentum in Australia to join with movements of people in countries in South East Asia in their efforts to see asbestos banned and eradicated. We work with unions and community groups in Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia towards asbestos bans. We are also coordinating with international networks and coalitions to fight for asbestos bans and eradication programs across Asia.
Australian unionists know what it takes to struggle and win asbestos bans. Since 2003, it has been illegal to sell or use asbestos in Australia, or to import it into the country. There are many alternatives to asbestos that have been used in Australia successfully for years. Australia takes asbestos eradication from the build environment so seriously that it has established a specialist government agency to undertake this huge job, estimated to continue until 2030.
Join us!
We know asbestos kills. All forms of asbestos cause cancer in humans and are dangerous to human health. The World Health Organisation says that the only way to see an end to asbestos-related disease is to stop the use of all types of asbestos. While asbestos is used anywhere – it is a risk everywhere.
By joining Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA and donating $15 a month (or more), you can support our work in Asia to ban asbestos. Join today! www.apheda.org.au/asbestos
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