STUC WELCOMES PLEURAL PLAQUES DECISION

March 11th 2009

STUC WELCOMES PLEURAL PLAQUES DECISION

March 11th 2009


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The Scottish Trades Union Congress has welcomed the decision by the Scottish Parliament to pass legislation that will ensure pleural plaques victims will, in future, be compensated for damage done following negligent exposure to asbestos.

Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said

“This move by the Scottish Government, will ensure that the illogical decision taken by the House of Lords that pleural plaques victims were not deserving of compensation no longer applies on Scotland.

“Yet another move by the insurance industry to deny asbestos victims their rightful compensation has been thwarted thanks to the efforts of asbestos groups, their lawyers and trade unions.

“The cross party support for this Bill, although unfortunately not unanimous, reflects the views of most of the Scottish Parliament that the unjust treatment imposed on plaques victims by the House of Lords decision had to be remedied.

“The insurance industry is already threatening Scottish employers with the prospect of higher insurance premiums but they would do well to remember that they insured asbestos companies and other using asbestos fully aware of the risks.

“The STUC now hopes the UK Government will now follow suit as a matter of urgency, ensuring that victims in England an Wales are also compensated for the scarring caused by plaques, whether physical or psychological.

Ends

For further information

For further information contact

Ian Tasker Assistant Secretary STUC

0141 337 8100