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The CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department, on behalf of the Union has signed the new 'Asbestos Victims Charter For Justice' created by the "Asbestos Victims Support Groups Forum UK".
Asbestos remains the single biggest cause of work related deaths. The people affected are suffering through no fault of their own and we support the AVSGF (UK)'s belief that this country owes a debt of justice to asbestos victims and their families. That is why we are proud to support the "Asbestos Victims Charter for Justice". We agree that these changes will make a real difference and therefore the CWU supports the Charter and has signed it. Individuals, Safety Reps, Branches, Branch Officers, and Regional Safety Forums can also 'sign-up' to the charter using the attached form. The Charter is reproduced below. The Asbestos Victims Charter for Justice 1. We believe in Welfare Justice Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) should be retained and improved. It should also be disregarded for the purposes of calculating a person’s entitlement to means tested benefits such as Pension Credits and Local Housing Allowance. Posthumous payments made under the Pneumoconiosis, etc. (Workers Compensation) Act 1979 and the 2008 Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme should be made at the same rate as in life payments. Constant Attendance Allowance should be automatically awarded at the intermediate rate where IIDB has been awarded for mesothelioma or lung cancer. 2. We believe in a fair compensation system
People who are suffering from lung cancer which has only developed because of exposure to asbestos should be treated in the same way as mesothelioma sufferers when making a civil claim. We believe in amending the 2006 Compensation Act. Compensation claims which are settled when the sufferer is alive should be treated in the same way as those settled after death. Currently they are treated differently and this means that sufferers are often forced to choose between settling for less during their lifetime or dying with the uncertainty of an outstanding claim. 3. We believe in the right to decent medical treatment It is time to review the 2007 Mesothelioma Framework. The Framework has led to improvements but access to the best treatment can still be a post code lottery. That is why the uptake from a revised framework must be made mandatory. Every area of the UK should have a specialist mesothelioma nurse to ensure the spread of best practice. 4. We believe in properly resourced medical research The UK is becoming a world leader in medical research into asbestos related diseases. We believe in ensuring this continues by putting in place a sustainable, ongoing source of funding. Part of that funding should be provided by the monies raised by the use of recovery of benefits legislation on Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme payments. 5. We believe in preventing future tragedies We need a national public information campaign on the dangers of asbestos in the workplace, home and public environments. We need a tough regulatory framework that ensures people who break the control of asbestos regulations get prosecuted. We need to address the issue of asbestos in schools. We need a national audit of all schools to identify the presence and condition of asbestos and a long term policy to eradicate asbestos from our schools. You can sign up for the Asbestos Victims Charter by clicking on the pic above to downlaod the sign up form. Further Information From: The Asbestos Victim’s Support Groups Forum UK 'One Voice for Asbestos Victims'
Source: CWU LTB307/15 |
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In the UK in 2015 more people will die of asbestos related diseases than will be killed on the roads. Every year the number of people affected continues to rise.