Tokyo Electric Power Corporation has reportedly given an option to workers of Japan's earthquake-cum-tsunami hit nuclear power station in Fukushima Prefecture to decide whether or not to continue at the plant, but many experts believe that the workers are not in a position to decline job offers as 'it would affect them in the future'.Since the crisis began at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant following the March 11 devastation, 17 workers have suffered radiation of over 100 millisieverts, the maximum level to which nuclear plant workers may be exposed per year, the Kyodo news agency reports.
All of them were engaged in critical works to improve the conditions of six affected reactors at the plant.
On Thursday, three subcontract workers were exposed to high levels of radiation while laying down cables, standing in water apparently containing radioactive materials at a turbine building adjacent to a reactor building.
The utility has said that it is "up to each individual to decide whether or not to continue" working at the plant, but experts familiar with working conditions said that the option is not quite viable in the case of subcontractors.
"I would think it is a terrible job but if you are an employee of a subcontractor, you will probably be unable to decline, thinking about future orders (for their employer)," Mitsuhiko Tanaka, a former engineer in nuclear plant designs, said.
Keiji Miyazaki, professor emeritus in nuclear engineering at Osaka University, however said that it is an emergency situation, and "in order to put an end to it soon, those who are knowledgeable are called on to stay and conduct work." (ANI)
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