The Radiation-exposed Workers' Solidarity Network was officially
established on November 19, 2012 after a preparation period of more
than one year. This Network consists of activists from various fields,
including lawyers and members of labor unions, occupational safety and
health centers, homeless-worker support groups, and anti-nuke
organizations.
An estimated total of 400,000 people work in nuclear
power plants in Japan, but the reality of their work conditions has
been practically unknown. While such workers obtain salaries in
exchange for exposure to radiation, thereby trading their health for
cash payments, they are paid only what remains after subtractions are
made by intermediate subcontractors, who form a complicated
labor-supply system. The workers are not given the proper legally
mandated safety training, and their exposure dose control is
inappropriate. In fact, some workers have had false dosimeter readings
recorded, or have even faked dosimeter readings with lead coverings,
because workers whose radiation exposure exceeds the dose limit cannot
be hired.
Nuclear-plant workers are laid off when each job is
completed, and if a worker subsequently becomes ill due to exposure, no
one assumes responsibility. A researcher said that radiation-exposed
work is slave labor, and this is very true. Many nuclear-plant workers
lose their dwellings when they lose jobs. Under such circumstances,
workers cannot speak up easily. No employers hire workers who have
raised their voices. Upper-layer subcontractors can avoid trouble and
stay safe by terminating contracts with lower-layer subcontractors. The
entities who benefit most from such a labor-supply structure are
electric power companies, general constructors, and the government that
has tacitly approved of it. After the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the
required number of radiation-exposed workers has jumped and the
exposure limit has been notably raised. Nevertheless, they continue to
be hired at low pay and treated discriminatorily, the safety and health
control issues being played down.
In addition, many local people are hired to remove
radioactive material emitted to the environment from the Fukushima
disaster. Like nuclear-plant work, this decontamination work is also
controlled by multiple-layer subcontractors headed by general
constructors, and has the same problems. One subcontractor defrauded
workers of the hazardous-work allowances they are supposed to receive
from the Japanese government. Some workers rose up in anger and
negotiated repeatedly with the subcontractor in cooperation with local
labor unions and this Network, and succeeded in having the allowances
paid back. This Network intends to confront the government with such
cases.
Many nuclear-plant and radiation-removal workers are
locals. The very people who suffered from the earthquake and nuclear
plant disaster are ones who are now cleaning up the post-disaster mess.
The lives, employment conditions and health of such workers must be
protected. The Network held a gathering to give these workers
consultation on employment and health in Fukushima. A communication
exchange gathering of decontamination workers was also organized. The
Network is gradually developing detailed connections with actual
workers. Even if nuclear power plants are closed, labor for reactor
decommissioning will continue to be needed. The Network would like to
work together with workers and improve their current labor conditions
as much as possible while listening to their voices, learning more
about them, spreading relevant information, and struggling with the
current exploitative system.
