9 Feb 2017

Nuclear Workers Association cautious over law change

9:00 am on 9 February 2017

French Polynesia's Nuclear Workers Association says news that France plans to make it easier for victims of nuclear testing to claim compensation is no cause for celebration yet.

Roland Oldham, head of Mururoa e Tatou

Roland Oldham, head of Mururoa e Tatou Photo: RNZ / Walter Zweifel

Yesterday, the French joint law commission decided unanimously to remove the term 'negligible risk' from the nuclear compensation law.

The compensation law, which was introduced in 2009, has been widely criticised for being too restrictive because almost all claims so far have been thrown out.

The head of Mururoa e Tatou Roland Oldham said the change still needs to be approved by the French Parliament but he's cautiously optimistic.

"We don't call it victory yet, we have to see, but we are determined to have this law changed, we are determined to have more compensation, we are determined to have justice and truth.

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