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Asbestos issues in Lao PDR and the Mekong Region
Inpeng Meunviseth
Deputy director of International Relation
Department( Lao Federation of Trade Unions)
Decent Work for All
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ASIAN DECENT WORK DECADE 2006-2015
Current Asbestos use in SE Asia
Region (Tons) 2011
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*China
637,000
*Indonesia 124,000
*Vietnam 63,587
*Thailand 86,525
(*Top 10 world user)
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Lao
9,000
(increase from 5,000 2009)
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Philippine
Malaysia
4,620
3,713
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General information Lao PDR
One of least developed countries
in SE Asia with main Industries
Ethnic groups
Labour force total (2010 est.)
Agriculture
Timber and Forestry
Hydro power
Mining
Construction
Garment
Over 100 ethnic groups
3.69 million
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GDP
Service
Agriculture/Forestry
Industry
Other
37.2 %
30.4 %
26 %
6.4%
Population 2012 est.:
Capital :
6,500,000
Vientiane
8%
Annual economic growth (2011)
GDP per capita
Minimum Wage
Trade Union
Members
(Sources info: Laos Economic Profile 2012)
$986/year
Equivalent $80/month
LFTU
154,965 (60,785 women)
(Sources info: National Economic Development plan
1011- 2015)
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Lao PDR, since 1990 has had a policy to open up
to global economy and promote FDI to help
develop quickly
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Recently, the economy has been growing rapidly
especially mining and construction [dams].
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Laos transforming to a market economy and
aims to reach industrialized status by 2020.
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No OHS laws specifically but covered broadly in
Labour Law
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Brief information about Asbestos use
in Lao PDR
• The LFTU is aware of ten asbestos
roof sheet companies established in
8 different provinces.
• Located near local communities
• No specific regulations on asbestos
use
• Each factories have 20-60
workers (women 20%), who have
low awareness of the danger of
asbestos, often have no PPE
and besides LFTU info and
training - very little information
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Lao asbestos issues
• The inspection department
(government) have limited
knowledge and information on
asbestos
• The concerned Dept has not
been active in fulfilling their
inspection role no testing
equipment
• There are no specialist doctors
or departments to prove,
diagnose and treat occupational
diseases
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Asbestos issues and challenges
• No National Asbestos Profile
• Low consumer and worker
awareness
• There are no specific regulations
on use
• Workers and communities are
being directly exposed
• Low use of any PPE
• Lao in 2012 has passed
Hazardous Substances
Regulation. Blue and Brown
banned. White restricted
import.
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What LFTU and UAA APHEDA are doing!
Asbestos Disease Prevention Program
• Recent project cooperation with
APHEDA and workshops ILO,
Japan and Korea raised issue for
first time
• Now advocating for phase out of
asbestos use and immediate
reduction in exposure for workers
and communities
• Mapping/survey of roof factories
• Information and training for
workers
• LFTU now raising issue strongly to
government, employers and in
National assembly
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What LFTU and UAA APHEDA are doing!
Asbestos Disease Prevention Program
• Linking LFTU with ban asbestos groups
and OHS institutes in the region
• APHEDA also partnering with Ministry of
Industry to promote dangers of
asbestos, regulation and urgent phase
out
• Funding from some Australian unions,
APHEDA Appeal and ANCP AusAID (Total
$17,750 in 2012)
• APHEDA seeking AusAID funds to expand
program
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National campaign
• Organize the mobile training for W and E in roof sheet factory for
improving the working condition in the workplace.
• Cooperate with Ministry concern such as Ministry of industry and
commerce, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labor social and
welfare.
• Sharing information with concerning Ministry and sectors.
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National campaign
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Developing the First National Asbestos Profile
Establish the NAPL
Establish the Asbestos committee
To continue over hand the Asbestos posters
and brochures for 10 factory and villages near
by the factory.
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Regional and global campaign
• Exchange experience with Thailand, Vietnam
and neighboring country. With the country
,who Banned Asbestos such as Australia,
Korea , Japan and Ext……..
• Try to Ban Asbestos with ASEAN country
• Cooperate and sharing information with
ASEAN country and another country in the
region.
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National Strategy on Asbestos
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Asbestos Out of Mekong
We Need your Help!
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