The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi welcomes a new report from the Human Rights Commission detailing the intergenerational impact of PCP use in the timber industry, including on timber workers, their whānau, and their communities.
“The CTU fully supports the report’s findings. Workers in the timber industry deserve a comprehensive redress that includes specialist healthcare, fair compensation, and recognition of the intergenerational harm caused to their whānau,” says NZCTU Vice-President Māori Aubrey Wilkinson
The highly toxic chemical PCP was widely used in the timber industry between 1930 and 1988. Timber workers were exposed through inhalation, skin contact, contaminated clothing, and workplace practices that lacked adequate safeguards
“Kaimahi Māori, their communities, and whenua have faced disproportionate harm from the use of this dangerous chemical. These failures breach international human rights standards and Te Tiriti o Waitangi”, says Wilkinson.
“Despite research linking PCP exposure to a wide range of health effects, many workers still face unacceptable barriers to receiving ACC cover. Without cover, they cannot access the treatment, rehabilitation, and compensation they need for illnesses and injuries caused by work,” says Wilkinson
“The story of PCP use and its impact on workers and their communities shows why strong workplace health and safety protections matter. Work should not make people sick, harm their whānau, or affect their mokopuna. We cannot let what happened to these workers happen to anyone else,” said Wilkinson
The NZCTU acknowledges the mahi of Sawmill Workers Against Poisons (SWAP) and Joe Harawira for their passionate advocacy, ongoing campaigning and pursuit of justice for those exposed to PCP through their work.
The NZCTU is calling on the Government to support the recommendations made by the Human Rights Commission in this report, provide redress to those impacted, and learn from these failures so working people are better protected in the future.