GLOBAL: NARROW DEFEAT IN BID FOR GLOBAL RIGHT TO KNOW

Efforts supported by unions and public interest groups to reform a UN right to know treaty on the export of the most hazardous substances have narrowly failed.

In total, 92 governments supported the proposal to amend the Rotterdam Treaty, with only 32 voting against – but this fell just seven votes shy of the 75 percent threshold for a rule change.

The failure of the proposal, led by the Australian and Swiss governments and co-sponsored by several nations including the UK, means the Rotterdam Convention remains paralyzed once again due to the tactics of the industry and a small group of countries that block the listing of highly hazardous substances, including chrysotile asbestos and paraquat.

The proposal would have introduced a new annex allowing the listing of chemicals where 75 percent of voting countries expressed support. The current system requires 'consensus,' which means a single nation can keep a deadly substance off the right to know list.

Liam O’Brien, ACTU Assistant Secretary said in response:

‘Countries have a right to know about the hazardous chemicals that are entering their country. The blocking tactics of Industry and a small number of countries, is endangering workers, in particular those from developing countries. If the Rotterdam Convention is going to meet its full potential it must be reformed. The lives of millions of workers are at stake.’

Source: ACTU news release

 

Share Tweet

RELATED

FRUIT AND VEG WHOLESALER COPS $50K FORKLIFT FINE
A fruit and vegetable wholesaler has been fined $50,000 after a worker got hit by falling bins from a forklift at their Breakwater warehouse.
Read More
$140K PENALTY FOR FATAL TELEHANDLER SHOCK
Harmony Operations Australia has been fined $140,000 following the electrocution of a 29-year-old worker while operating a telehandler at a feedlot in 2020. The fatality occurred because the telehandler contacted overhead power...
Read More
$200K FINE FOR LIFE-CHANGING INJURIES
A food recycling company in Dandenong South has been issued with a $200,000 fine after a worker suffered life-altering injuries. Branin Recycles Pty Ltd has been found guilty of one charge of...
Read More