BECTU supports asbestos campaign

On 3rd July 2007, BECTU, the union representing members in the broadcasting, entertainment and theatre industries, announced that it is backing a campaign launched by solicitors Thompsons to achieve justice for English and Welsh families affected by asbestos.

"The law must be changed to ensure families in England and Wales are entitled to the same level of compensation as in Scotland"

Thompsons has highlighted the fact that in England and Wales the level of bereavement compensation is set at £10,000 by law and is only payable to the spouse of the deceased.
But in Scotland bereavement payments of up to £30,000 have been made to widows, while other family members such as siblings and children can also receive up to £15,000 each.
Bereavement awards are payable in the event of death caused by negligence, whether through accident or industrial disease. In England and Wales the fixed statutory award of £10,000 payable to only spouses is set by the Fatal Accidents Act 1976.

To support the campaign Thompsons have launched a petition. which BECTU urges all members to sign.

Mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung caused by asbestos, causes extreme pain and suffering before death.

Families affected by a death from mesothelioma experience unusually severe grief and an enduring sense of loss. This is often exacerbated by knowing that the suffering and death was caused by the negligence of an employer.

It is predicted that 90,000 people in the UK will die from mesothelioma as a result of previous exposure to asbestos.

BECTU is very active in campaigning for asbestos awareness, because many of its members work in places where asbestos is present. It has set up a register where members can record the locations where they have worked, so that clusters of exposure might be identified in the future.

BECTU General Secretary Gerry Morrissey said "Bereavement compensation for families of those who have died from mesothelioma, many of whom have been our members, should be equal no matter where you were exposed to asbestos in the UK.

"The law must be changed to ensure families in England and Wales are entitled to the same level of compensation for bereavement as a family in Scotland. The current imbalance is unjust and cannot continue."

To read the full story, click on the link below.
http://www.bectu.org.uk/news/gen/ng0292.html