August, 12, 2004
Media Release
Union welcomes asbestos decision
The country's largest union is looking closely at a decision granting accident compensation to the family of an
asbestosis victim to see how it may apply to other afflicted workers.
Engineering, Printing & Manufacturing Union national secretary Andrew Little today welcomed the decision by the District Court to award nearly
$100,000 compensation to the family of a worker who died in 2002 after being exposed to asbestos at work 40 years
earlier.
"It's good news. Anybody afflicted by this dreadful condition deserves compensation," he said.
"We call on the government and ACC to ensure that any worker affected by asbestosis or mesothelioma is fairly
compensated and to not use legal loopholes to avoid paying compensation."
Ends.