Fed: Govt must reinstate blood donor leave: Labor

AAP General News (Australia)
12-25-2000
Fed: Govt must reinstate blood donor leave: Labor

Lack of work-leave compensation and the fear of mad cow disease contamination is putting
Australia's emergency blood supply at risk.

Federal opposition industrial relations spokesman ARCH BEVIS says the government has
policies that discourage people from giving blood even though the blood supply is under
threat.

He says Victorian Blood Bank figures show donor numbers have fallen by 25 per cent
in two years since workplace laws had abolished paid leave for most blood donors.

Mr BEVIS says that on average it takes just four hours a year for each donor to perform
this vital community service.

Supplies have also been put at risk with new restrictions aimed at avoiding contamination
of Australia's blood supply with mad cow disease.

These restrictions apply to people who lived in the United Kingdom for six months or
more from 1980 to 1996.

Mr BEVIS is calling on incoming Workplace Relations Minister TONY AbBOTT to immediately
reinstate blood donor leave.

AAP RTV kjp/mjm/wz

KEYWORD: BLOOD (CANBERRA)

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