More than 45 unions, educators, occupational health and safety experts, academics, and public health organisations have signed an open letter calling on the Prime Minister to establish an urgent review into regulatory system failures resulting in asbestos-containing products in workplaces, ECEs, and schools.
"Within four months two unrelated products, both containing asbestos, have entered workplaces and education centres, risking dangerous exposure for workers and children to asbestos," said New Zealand Council of Trade Unions President Sandra Grey.
"There have evidently been huge failures in the regulatory systems designed to protect people. This represents a profound breach of trust.
"Workers and children have potentially been exposed to a known carcinogen that is strictly prohibited under New Zealand law. We need to find out how this was allowed to happen and agree a plan to help prevent this in the future.
"New Zealanders are entitled to full transparency, accountability, and corrective action. We are demanding swift and decisive intervention at a ministerial and system-wide level.
"There must be a broad formal investigation into how the fibre boards and asbestos-containing sand entered New Zealand that looks at border testing, import controls, supplier assurance, and whether government oversight systems are fit for purpose.
"It is critical that all relevant stakeholders are included in this review, ensuring the voice of occupational health professionals, workers, business, and other impacted communities.
"Asbestos is the most well-known occupational health hazard, and yet asbestos exposure is still killing up to 220 people in New Zealand every year. It is unacceptable," said Grey.
