Philippine labor groups re-launch email campaign on asbestos ban

PRESS RELEASE

Associated Labor Unions (ALU)
Building and Woodworkers International (BWI)
Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP)

Manila, Philippines, 22 October 2010 — The Associated Labor Unions (ALU), the Building and Woodworkers International (BWI) and the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) re-launched an email campaign urging the Philippine Senate to pass Senate Bill No. 89 banning asbestos.

The email campaign, found at http://tinyurl.com/ban-asbestos, also calls on the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce to integrate workers concerns in the bill filed by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago to minimize the risks of asbestos to workers, their families and the public. The bill was originally filed in 2006. A counterpart bill was filed by TUCP Party List Representative Raymond Mendoza in the House of Representatives.

Senders must type in their name, email address, municipality/city/province and union or organization, may use the existing message, and must click the ‘Send Email’ button at the bottom of the page. The email goes to Senator Manny Villar as the Committee Chair copy furnished the Senate President and members of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce.

The email campaign will help push the Senate to act on the urgency of banning asbestos. It will also remind the office of Senator Villar on its commitment to call a public hearing on the bill when the Senate resumes session in 8 November 2010. Any delay causes more exposure that will result in contracting asbestos related diseases and deaths in the years to come.