[lbo-talk] Working Class Heros

[Mark Bennett]

Much is being written about the heroism of the Japanese workers trying to
get the disaster at Fukushima under control.  This is undoubtedly much truth
in this, but I wonder how much of it is a smokescreen to obscure the
conditions at the plant before the disaster, and the how these conditions
may have contributed to the meltdown.  The NYT is reporting:

"Like the injured workers, many of those risking their lives are
subcontractors of Tokyo Electric, paid a small daily wage for hours of work
in dangerous conditions. In some cases they are poorly equipped and trained
for their task."

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/26/world/asia/26japan.html