27 September 2006
Hardie Directors Feather Own Nest At Expense of Asbestos Victims
"It is immoral that the directors of James Hardie can award themselves $1.1 million (AUD) in pay rises, while asbestos
sufferers die without compensation for their pain and suffering," CTU president Ross Wilson said today.
"Before the company goes about feathering the nest of its directors with increases of up to 130 per cent, it should
urgently address compensation for workers who have suffered the painful and terminal effects of lung cancer, asbestosis
and mesothelioma through their exposure to asbestos related products."
"The CTU's asbestos campaign is calling for asbestos victims to get the same ACC lump sum compensation that injured
workers can access, and asbestos product manufacturers like James Hardie and Fletchers to be levied for a special ACC
fund."
"A special fund would require a law change. The CTU has put a proposal up to the Minister of ACC to establish the fund,
and we are waiting for a response," Ross Wilson said.
"As a country we must ensure that we fairly compensate these victims of the negligence and willful disregard of
available evidence of the lethal effect of asbestos exposure by these companies in New Zealand."
Further information about the CTU's campaign is here: http://union.org.nz/campaigns/asbestos.html
ENDS