Thiruvananthapuram, March 27 (IANS) Return to work is the message to the employees of Kerala-based IT companies who fled Japan in the wake of a devastating earthquake and tsunami and fears of a radiation leak from a crippled nucler power plant.

Nearly half a dozen Kerala-based IT companies have their working operations in Japan. There has been no official communication to the 100-odd employees, either from the companies here or in Japan, who have returned. This has, however, been communicated to them unofficially.

"I have been told the Japanese staff working in my office have returned to work, and that I too should return," an IT professional, who did not wish to be named, told IANS

"Honestly, I am not very keen but when I look into the financial commitments that I have, I am in a double mind," he added.

The wife of another IT professional said: "I am sad that my husband has been asked to return. Is this fair on the part of the IT company, knowing fully well that things are not that safe there."

"I have got information from Japan that all employees have been asked to be very careful about the water they drink and use because radiation levels in the water have gone up," a second IT professional said.