Sufferers wait for justice

The Ministry of Justice has been told by unions to stop delaying and announce plans to compensate pleural plaques sufferers. These are workers who have scarring of the lungs caused by prolonged exposure to deadly asbestos.

For 30 years pleural plaque sufferers could receive compensation, but the Law Lords overturned this principle in October 2007. Concerted lobbying by unions and asbestos campaigners was sucessful in forcing the government to consult on the issue, but there has been no word since last October.

Alan Ritchie, general secretary of UCATT construction union, said: “We are becoming concerned that the government has not yet set out a way forward on this issue which is vital for so many of my members.”

He hoped that the delay was due to the government making the detailed changes needed to bring forward legisaltion to overturn the Law Lords decision.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Parliament is pressing ahead with a Bill which will reverse the Law Lords decision north of the border.

Ritchie said: “Workers were needlessly exposed to asbestos by bosses who knew the risks but did not care. The insurance industry were happy to accept the premiums but now they do not want to pay the compensation that victims deserve. It will be unjust if we end up in a situation where pleural plaque sufferers in Scotland get compensation while those in England, Wales and Northern Ireland don’t.”