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Chorus Grows for Hardie Deal24 November 2005James Hardie is refusing to commit to a Friday deadline to sign a deal to compensate victims of its asbestos products. Unions and the NSW Government have stepped up pressure on Hardies to agree on a deal by the end of the week. But Hardies remains non-committal on the deadline, instead opting to say a deal will be reached soon. Among the latest to join the chorus against Hardies, a Canadian union is warning the company faces a ban in North America ahead of the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
"There's $86 billion dollars worth of work coming up in the next six years and if they're interested in any of it they'd better compensate the victims,'' Canadian construction union chief Wayne Peppard told a Sydney newspaper.NSW Premier Morris Iemma said earlier this week laws would be put in place to free up $1.9 billion of Hardies assets to go towards compensation.
"Our conclusion is that if we can't reach an agreement we'll legislate to provide justice to the victims," he said.The announcement coincided with a rally of asbestos victims and campaigners outside Hardies Sydney office demanding compensation. Australian Manufacturing Workers Union NSW Secretary Paul Bastian, while welcoming the government's move, said the deadline for a commitment by Hardies was long overdue. Bastian called on Hardies to sign a compensation agreement immediately and appoint an asbestosis sufferer to its board. Asbestosis sufferer Bernie Banton, who was at Monday's protest, said the company had shown contempt for its victims.
"They haven't brought one cent to the table yet and it's time for Hardies to cough up," he said.Victims are still yet to see any money despite Hardies' chairwoman Meredith Hellicar agreeing 16 months ago to pay billions of dollars in compensation over the coming decades. James Hardie knowingly exposed workers to asbestos-containing products until the mid-1980s. Up to 18,000 Australians are expected to die from asbestos-related diseases by 2020. | |
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