Speakers in a consultation on Asbestos in Bangladesh urged the Government of Bangladesh to impose a ban on import of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials to minimize the risk of asbestosis and cancer, generated from the unsafe use of asbestos. Bangladesh Ban Asbestos Network (BAN) organized this consultation in the conference of OSHE foundation in Dhaka.
Labor leader Mujibur Rahman Bhuiyan chaired the session, while A R Chowdhury Repon, Executive Director of OSHE foundation delivered introductory remarks. Dr. S M Morshed, Vice Chair of OSHE foundation presented the Bangladesh Country paper on Asbestos.
He mentioned that every year 107,000 workers suffer from asbestosis and other diseases across the world due to use of asbestos in the workplace. Dr. Morshed further added that legal provision allows import of asbestos in Bangladesh and amount of asbestos import is increasing day by day.
“Government of Bangladesh is earning revenue ignoring its impact on human health, particularly the workers are worst victims of this harmful item” he added. He also informed asbestos is already banned in 52 countries around the world including Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Taking part in the discussion, the participants emphasized on massive campaign plan engaging relevant stakeholders against asbestos and advocacy with the policymakers of relevant ministries for sensitization at senior level. They also suggested knowledge products on asbestos, so that larger concessions can be made against asbestos.
The participants mentioned that, there is no alternate of ban asbestos and for achieving goal 8 of Sustainable Development Goals, the government should come forward to prohibit the use of asbestos and also impose a ban on its import.
