First round table on asbestos
At the first round table on asbestos, representatives of asbestos victims, the employers' association, the trade union federation, various companies and Suva held a discussion on the objectives and the way forward under the leadership of Federal Councillor Moritz Leuenberger.
Federal Councillor Alain Berset set up the round table because there are people in Switzerland who have been affected by asbestos and who could face financial difficulties as a result of the disease.
Under the leadership of former Federal Councilor Moritz Leuenberger, representatives of asbestos victims, the employers' association, the trade union federation, Suva and companies that have processed asbestos met in Bern on March 12 for an initial discussion. In principle, they are prepared to participate actively in the search for an amicable solution and to discuss possible solutions in an open-ended manner.
Currently, around 120 people per year fall ill because they came into contact with asbestos years or decades ago. Around 20 to 30 of them are not entitled to the benefits of the compulsory accident insurance, but to those of the compulsory health insurance, the disability insurance and possibly the occupational pension scheme. This means that they are usually worse off financially. As a rule, they are also unable to assert any claims under liability law because of the limitation periods currently in force.
One of the first steps is to clarify how many of these people actually require action. The round table has recorded the open questions; however, they still need to be examined and discussed in greater depth. Subsequently, the discussion can begin on what the criteria for possible support might look like.
