Reports suggest that homeless people and other socially vulnerable individuals may be unfairly exploited for cleaning jobs in nuclear power plants, particularly those with high levels of risk.
1. Reality of Inappropriate Worker Recruitment
For over 30 years, subcontractors have reportedly been recruiting homeless individuals, juvenile delinquents, drifters, and those in poverty for some of the most dangerous work inside nuclear power plants.
Homeless individuals, in particular, are easy targets and are sometimes lured in public parks with promises of high wages.
1-1. Involvement of Organized Crime
There have been cases where members of organized crime groups, who run labor dispatch businesses, send homeless workers for decontamination work.
A construction company insider remarked that “(organized crime involvement) is necessary to increase the number of workers,” indicating that up to 90% of the construction industry may have ties to such groups.
1-2. Health Issues for Workers
Many workers, exposed to high radiation levels, have later reported health problems. However, some refrain from speaking out, fearing job loss.
1-3. Background Issues
Worker shortages and complex subcontracting structures contribute to inappropriate labor recruitment.
Although significant funds are allocated to decontamination and reconstruction projects, the lack of transparency in fund allocation exacerbates the problem.
This issue presents serious challenges in both the exploitation of vulnerable individuals and in nuclear power plant safety management.
Establishing proper working conditions and strict supervision is essential.
2. Specific Recruitment Methods
Methods used by organized crime groups and their associates to recruit homeless individuals include:
2-1. Direct Approaches
In places like parks and train stations where homeless individuals tend to gather, recruiters approach them directly with questions like, “Are you looking for work?” or “Are you hungry?” exploiting their vulnerabilities.
2-2. Promises of High Wages
Despite the dangerous nature of the work, recruiters lure them with promises of high wages.
However, intermediaries often take a cut, leaving only a small amount for the worker.
2-3. Provision of Food and Accommodation
Offering temporary food and lodging, they make it easier for individuals to agree to the work.
Often, these costs are later deducted from their wages.
2-4. Use of Multiple Subcontractors
The workers ultimately recruited are reached through multiple tiers of subcontractors associated with major companies, making the situation difficult to monitor.
2-5. Contacts with Homeless Support Facilities
Some recruiters even enter homeless self-support facilities to find potential workers.
2-6. Use of Debt
If wages are insufficient due to deductions for food and lodging, recruiters may loan money, creating a dependency that binds individuals to the job.
These tactics indicate that homeless individuals are exploited for dangerous work due to their social vulnerability, which has become a severe social issue.
3. Is Recruitment Still Ongoing?
It’s likely that this problem hasn’t been entirely resolved. The following factors support this:
3-1. Long-Term Issue
For more than 30 years, homeless and vulnerable individuals have continued to be recruited for high-risk work in nuclear plants.
3-2. Cases in Decontamination Work
Reports from around 2013 highlight instances where organized crime groups sent homeless workers for decontamination work related to Fukushima.
3-3. Complex Subcontracting Structure
Subcontracting layers, with many companies involved before reaching the worker, persist and obscure the true conditions.
3-4. Exploitative Working Conditions
Many workers receive less than the minimum wage due to intermediary deductions.
3-5. Continuing Issue
Reports indicate that recruitment of homeless individuals has continued even after investigations were conducted.
3-6. Strengthened Regulations
Although the issue has led to stricter regulations, it is uncertain whether the problem has been completely solved.
Whether these practices still continue is unclear, but as long as subcontracting complexities and labor shortages remain, similar issues may continue to exist.
Continuous oversight and countermeasures are required for this issue.
(Note)
This explanation is provided by AI Nurse.
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