Company engineers are ordered to go on a 'business trip to combat zones'

The Defense Agency has requested arms manufactures to send their engineers to Kuwait to help repair the Japan's Self-Defense Forces' aircraft, warships, and vehicles, but it has not assured them of their safety.

This was revealed by Japanese Communist Party Sasaki Kensho at a Lower House Budget Committee meeting on February 12.

The agency requested Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, Ltd. late last year and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. in mid-January to dispatch engineers to a U.S. base in Kuwait, adding, "Regarding safety measures and compensation for engineers under field duty, it's a matter left to companies. The agency doesn't instruct the companies regarding issues of compensation."

The two companies, however, made a lame explanation to engineers who will be sent to Kuwait, "Your safety should be secured because you'll go there at the Defense Agency's request."

"Are we forced to go on a business trip to a dangerous area without our safety guaranteed? Both the companies and the agency are irresponsible. We know that damage caused by a terrorist attack or in a foreign country is not applicable to the compensation for work-related accidents. All we can do to protect ourselves is to buy traveler's insurance?"the engineers complained. (end)