Call for proper compensation for asbestosis sufferers

Sinn Féin environment spokesperson, South Down MLA Mick Murphy has called for "proper compensation" for all victims of asbestosis.

Speaking after a recent meeting a delegation of the Justice for Asbestosis Victims, Mr Murphy said: "Asbestosis victims and their families are calling for compensation claims to be resolved with speed and urgency. There are thousands of victims who since the middle of the twentieth century have suffered a catalogue of respiratory problems, cancers and disabilities and suffer enormous stress."

He said that many victims had never been properly treated or compensated by either the government or the companies who had direct responsibility in these cases.

"These victims took the health and safety laws at face value when it stated that asbestosis would not kill or cause illness," said Mr Murphy, who called on government departments with a direct responsibility such as Employment and Learning, and Enterprise and Trade, to act.

Mr Murphy said that he welcomed the fact that Carmel Hanna had taken responsibility following the Fairchild judgement forcing the department to take action.

However, Mr Murphy added: " The safety net needs to work for asbestosis sufferers and we need better legislation to enable companies to be effectively held to account."

Last month the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment confirmed that it would pay £190 million in compensation to former employees of Belfast shipyard Harland and Wolff who were suffering from asbestos-related diseases.

(SP)