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August 7 2025

The asbestos industry’s lawsuit in Indonesia is a warning for the region.

Australians are generally very well aware of the dreadful legacy of asbestos use in this country.  People generally know that it is banned – has been in fact for over 20 years – and that exposure is highly dangerous.  So, it will be shocking for many to know that across Southeast Asian countries, the asbestos industry is not only strong, but actually thriving.

In Southeast Asia, raw asbestos is still handled in factories without protection, and public awareness remains dangerously low.   Using Indonesia as just one example, in Jakarta there are around 10.7 million homes – half of these are made using asbestos containing materials. The vision of asbestos roofing – often cracked and peeling – is part of the landscape.  Now consider the impact of natural disasters such as earthquakes which are a constant threat in Indonesia as it sits on the ‘Ring of Fire’.  Asbestos is shattered in earthquakes – the vision of people walking through asbestos rubble looking for their possessions is truly heartbreaking.

According to the Global Burden of Disease study, over 1,000 people die in Indonesia alone of asbestos-related diseases.  These are just the ones we know – limited diagnostic capacity means many cases go undetected and unreported.  So, the true figure would be much, much higher.

Just this week, local advocates in Indonesia who successfully fought for mandatory labelling of asbestos products are now being personally sued for defamation by a global industry lobby representing some of the world’s largest asbestos producers. Their “offence”? Simply calling for a warning label.   Phillip Hazelton, Senior Advisor with Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA (the global justice organisation of the Australian union movement) provides a really clear insight into the current situation – and the fight that is still ahead –  during his interview with ABC radio

Kim Brislane, CEO of ADDRI says  “The world should be really shocked at what’s happening in Indonesia right now.  This is a clear case of corporate profits over public health because white asbestos (chrysotile) is never safe and always poses risk.  We need to be worried about what’s happening in Indonesia and collectively support our neighbour – as this could set a dangerous precedent in other Southeast Asian countries.”

At ADDRI, we are trying to limit the burden of disease.  We partner with Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA and ASSEA to deliver clinical training across the Southeast Asian region.  In June 2023, we worked closely with Binawan University and the Local Initiative  for Occupational Safety and Health Network (LION), bringing a team of specialists from Australia to train local health professionals in Jakarta on how to diagnose and treat asbestos-related diseases.

As the WHO Collaborating Centre, we are committed to supporting our regional neighbours. Because the absence of data should never be mistaken for the absence of disease.  In late August, we will take another specialist team to Cambodia to train health professionals there —we will keep doing the work.

Read the ABC article here

For insight into the scale of the issue in Indonesia and context behind the court case, listen to our recent podcast interview with Phillip Hazelton, Senior Advisor Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA here

Learn more about ADDRI’s international clinical training programs here

You can access the ADDRI Amicus Curiae (Friends of the Court) submission to the Jakarta District Court here.

international clinical training programs

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