Confusion in Croatia
The Government of Croatia banned the use of asbestos as of January 1, 2006 by placing it on the Ministry of Health's Official List of Toxic Materials. This act, which ended the manufacture, trading and use of asbestos and asbestos products, suspended all asbestos production in Croatia and brought Croatia into line with member states of the European Union, which Croatia is eager to join. The Croatian Government's decision was a result of five years of consultation and negotiation with scientific experts at the Croatian Toxicology Institute, NGOs and workers' groups.
Salonit, the company which owns the asbestos factory in Vranjac, complained about the commercial impact of this decision alleging that the government was responsible for the sacking of 180 workers and the devaluation of all Salonit's stock of products and raw materials. Salonit's in-house union, currently on the verge of bankruptcy, reinforced the factory owner's demands for a reversal of the government's position. On February 14, the Ministry of Health, succumbing to intense pressure from the Ministry of Economy, amended the ban to prohibit only the sale and commercial use of asbestos; the manufacture of asbestos products for export to non-EU markets can continue.
Croatian NGOs have protested against this dangerous government U-turn saying that Cabinet Members are more interested in commercial matters than in public and occupational health. The campaigners are angry at the continuing risk to workers and the public. Asbestos illness has been identified in hundreds of former Salonit workers. Research has shown a high rate of cancer amongst the 200,000 people living within 11 kms of the Salonit factory. On March 3, 2006, the Social-Democratic Party, Croatia's' strongest opposition party, demanded urgent action on reinstating the asbestos ban and called for the closure of the Salonit factory.
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March 6, 2006
