Victims protest outside BHP Brisbane Office

Victims of coal mine dust diseases and their supporters rallied outside BHP’S Brisbane office on Friday.

The group is campaigning for the establishment of a victims support fund to help people with mine dust diseases and their families cope.

The Mine Dust Victims Group has written to the CEO of BHP, Andrew Mackenzie, seeking the company’s support and are angry that they have not received a response.

Victims’ advocate Jim Pearce – a former coal miner and Queensland State MP – said today mine dust victims would not accept being ignored by the mining corporations.

“These companies reap enormous profits from the labour of their workers,” Mr Pearce said.

“In fact, BHP made a staggering $12.2 billion profit in 2018.

“Despite this, BHP does next to nothing to support employees who contract potentially deadly and debilitating mine dust diseases while working in their mines.

“Frankly the Big Australian is behaving like the Ugly Australian.”

“While highly paid BHP executives are hiding out in their luxury offices, these workers are battling simply to pay their medical bills.

“Over 100 Queensland mineworkers have already been diagnosed with mine dust diseases such as black lung and silicosis, and the number is growing by the month.

“Sadly, many workers are frightened to get tested for mine dust diseases because they are frightened of being sacked and losing their livelihoods.

“It is simply unfair that these mine workers who have been sent into the coal mine to do a job, didn’t have the protections in place to look after them.

“It’s unfair that they should have to be just left to die quietly in the corner of their home and not have the mining companies accept some responsibility.”

Mr Pearce said the Mine Dust Disease Victims Support Group was proposing a modest 1 cent per tonne, per week levy on coal produced to go into the fund for sick workers and their families.

“This ask is not radical or unreasonable. In the US, coal companies pay a $US1.10 per tonne levy on each tonne of coal produced to assist mine disease victims.

“In Australia, the James Hardie Fund has distributed more than a billion dollars to asbestos victims.

“Our proposal would hardly be a blip on the radar of wealthy companies like BHP.

“It is time for the mining companies to do the right thing and support these sick workers.”