It remains hard for me to identify fully with what the Japanese people are going through right now. One moment everything was routine and in the next moment the ground was shaking violently. While many people have lived through an earthquake, not too many of us have had to live through a nuclear disaster. The earthquake and subsequent tsunami were bad enough, but imagine dealing with the anxiety and uncertainties of leaking radiation!!
It may be a rough go for all the residents in the immediate vicinity of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, but imagine the position the plant's workers now find themselves in. Like everyone else, they are worried about their own person health and safety, yet someone -- many of them -- are being called on to try to contain and fix the situation. What a tough position to be in!
Ecosocialism Canada dealt with this very issue in a reprint of an article, "Radiation fears grow for low-paid heroes battling disaster." One of the questions the article raises for me is whether or not those workers are voluntary heroes OR workers being forced against their will to do the work. If we use world history as a yardstick, I wouldn't be surprised at all if a significant number fall into the latter category.
The working poor tend to bear the brunt of these types of calamities. The plants and factories generally are located in THEIR neighborhoods. When disaster strikes, they are the one who are most apt to suffer the worst immediate and long-term consequences. And then, to add insult to injury, these people too often are the same ones called in to clean up the mess at even greater risk to their own safety.
The working poor almost never are the ones responsible for setting the stage for catastrophe, but they are the ones who become enveloped BY it.
It may be a rough go for all the residents in the immediate vicinity of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, but imagine the position the plant's workers now find themselves in. Like everyone else, they are worried about their own person health and safety, yet someone -- many of them -- are being called on to try to contain and fix the situation. What a tough position to be in!
Ecosocialism Canada dealt with this very issue in a reprint of an article, "Radiation fears grow for low-paid heroes battling disaster." One of the questions the article raises for me is whether or not those workers are voluntary heroes OR workers being forced against their will to do the work. If we use world history as a yardstick, I wouldn't be surprised at all if a significant number fall into the latter category.
The working poor tend to bear the brunt of these types of calamities. The plants and factories generally are located in THEIR neighborhoods. When disaster strikes, they are the one who are most apt to suffer the worst immediate and long-term consequences. And then, to add insult to injury, these people too often are the same ones called in to clean up the mess at even greater risk to their own safety.
The working poor almost never are the ones responsible for setting the stage for catastrophe, but they are the ones who become enveloped BY it.
Thinking about the situation, i have similar opinion as you. The history has showed us how these countries perceive the leadership and there is nothing like democracy. Especially if you think about these low level jobs that these people do. Sad, but unfortunately true.
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