Jan 31 2005
James Hardie was a joint venture investor in companies which manufactured products containing asbestos in Malaysia from 1966 and Indonesia from 1969.
James Hardie divested its investments in Indonesia in 1985 and in Malaysia shortly thereafter, and has not had a corporate or operational presence involving asbestos in the region since.
James Hardie understands that both the Indonesian and Malaysian Governments continue to allow the manufacture and distribution of products containing asbestos.
With the sale of James Hardie’s investments in the Indonesian and Malaysian companies, any liabilities or obligations remained with those joint venture entities.
James Hardie has not received any notification of a claim for asbestos disease related compensation in respect of Indonesia or Malaysia either prior to or since the sale of its operations in either country. If any claim was received, it would be considered on its merits.
New Zealand asbestos related disease compensation claims are managed by the state-run Accident Compensation Commission (ACC).
James Hardie, like all businesses in New Zealand, contributes financially to the established ACC fund as required by law via payment of an annual levy.
All decisions relating to the amount and allocation of payments to legitimate claimants in New Zealand are made by the ACC in accordance with New Zealand law.
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