Every year, millions of workers and communities around the world are exposed to deadly chemicals like asbestos—partly because a handful of countries are blocking global information on safety measures. The Rotterdam Convention, an international treaty designed to share information and protect people from hazardous chemicals and pesticides, is being deliberately stalled by corporate interests and some countries.

Asbestos manufacturers in Indonesia sued asbestos-ban campaigners for massive damages simply because they wanted workers to know the deadly consequences of asbestos. However, the court ruled against them.

The Lao Federation of Trade Unions (LFTU) has launched the Lao National Asbestos Profile, a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to address asbestos exposure and related health risks. The development of this comprehensive profile began in July 2023 in collaboration with Union Aid Abroad–APHEDA.

From January 2026, none of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) projects will be permitted to use asbestos-containing materials of any kind. This landmark decision follows a robust four-year campaign, led by trade unions in the region, including the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and Building and Wood Workers' International (BWI), with the support of Union Aid Abroad–APHEDA.

Following a historic win in the Indonesian Supreme Court earlier this year by the Indonesian ban asbestos network, which resulted in a court order for all asbestos materials to display health warning labelling, asbestos roof sheet manufacturers in Indonesia are suing all those who brought the case to the Supreme Court for damages.

Unionists and civil society groups across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) came together last week in a powerful movement for democracy, human rights, freedom, justice, and climate action.