Georgetti Praises ILO Decision on Canada and Asbestos

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - June 13, 2011) - The president of the Canadian Labour Congress says he is pleased the International Labour Organization (ILO) has requested that the Canadian government look more closely at its laws and regulations related to the occupational exposure to asbestos.

"The ILO is sending a strong signal that it wants action from countries, including Canada, that have been dragging their feet on workers' health when it comes to asbestos," Georgetti says. "The committee says that Canada has a special responsibility because this country is a major producer and exporter of the product."

Canada is a signatory to the ILO's Asbestos Convention No. 162 and the organization summoned Canada and other governments to a special hearing in Geneva on June 11. Lisa Raitt, Canada's labour minister, presented material on behalf of the Canadian government. The CLC presented as well and argued that the government has consistently ignored the latest scientific and technical information available regarding the health risks associated with asbestos use.

"The ILO committee made it clear that it wants the Canadian government to demonstrate what it is doing to adopt the strictest possible standards for the protection of workers' health as regards exposure to asbestos," Georgetti says. "Our government continues to rely on flawed and outdated research and continues to ignore expert information about the health hazards of asbestos."

The ILO committee also instructed the government to engage in consultations with unions and employer organizations in its review and application of the ILO Asbestos Convention. The CLC says that the government has not provided for those consultations. The CLC supports a ban on Canada's production and export of asbestos along with a just transition program for displaced workers in the industry.

The CLC's intervention to ILO hearing can be found: www.canadianlabour.ca