Win for Wharfie Widows

But now widows of Australian waterside workers killed by exposure

to asbestos will benefit from a breakthrough settlement for 11

women in Melbourne this August.

The settlement recognises the economic value of the work their

husbands did at home.

Previously a widow's claim was not viable if her husband died

over the age of 65 or earlier, unless he was working at the time

of diagnosis. This was because compensation for dependents under

Victorian law was in part based on their earnings at the time.

Eleven women - one in Canada, one in Queensland and nine in Melbourne

sued the federal government body Stevedoring Industry Finance

Committee, James Hardie and CSR.

The defendants settled the cases out of court. The decision is

a result of the union's long campaign on behalf of members and

their families stricken by asbestos disease.

Lawyer Suzanne Sandford of Slater and Gordon says the decision

is a breakthrough for hundreds of women who have suffered hardship

since their husbands died, some for as long as 20 years .

"Until these cases, the courts and the defendants had not recognised

the substantial contribution that non working men make at home

- mowing lawns, home maintenance, driving, painting, gardening,"

she said.

"Since their husbands' deaths, many of the widows have seen their

houses fall into disrepair because they cannot manage them alone,

or because they are under financial strain having to pay others

to do the work their husbands previously did.

"This contribution was substantial. According to the Australian

Bureau of Statistics, men over 65 spend an average of 19.5 hours

per week on domestic services.

"Now the widows of waterside workers whose lives were tragically

shortened by dangerous workplace conditions will not suffer further

hardship after prematurely losing their husbands."

PHOTOS: Phoebe Lenehan, Dot Stanvi and Norma Honeyman toast their

win (top). Mrs Honeyman and her late husband Billy (above). Main

photo: David Caird, courtesy NEWSPIX