United Workers Union is telling employees of cleaning giant Broadspectrum not to take up the company’s offer, which has been spruiked as a “great opportunity” to “earn some good money” in Japan.

Broadspectrum cleaners, many of whom work at NSW public schools, received a text message about the job opportunity yesterday.

“Hi all a really great opportunity has arrived,” a text message sent to staff read, according to the union.

“Would you like to earn some good money, all expenses paid for and PPE (personal protective equipment) provided at all times, all you need is a valid passport to go to Japan and clean for 6 days.

“I must have a (sic) answer by 9pm if you are willing to go.”

News.com.au has contacted Broadspectrum for comment.

It is understood the job involves cleaning a quarantine centre for crew from the Diamond Princess, which was locked down for two weeks off the Japanese port of Yokohama with a coronavirus outbreak on-board.

More than 690 passengers and crew were struck by the virus, including 46 Australians and three elderly Japanese passengers who died.

Princess Cruises announced on the weekend a global search to find a provider to clean and disinfect the ship, which it expects will resume sailing in April, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The United Workers Union said there was some initial confusion about the job offer as some staff – including one cleaner at a NSW public school – were told by supervisors the work would involve cleaning the actual ship.

It has texted its members advising them to refuse the opportunity to work in Japan.

“United Workers Union would not recommend accepting this offer,” it said in the text.

“This is specialised cleaning, requiring extra training and equipment. We also don’t know what the health and safety rules are in Japan so would be concerned that appropriate steps are not being taken to protect workers.”

United Workers Union’s director of property services Lyndal Ryan said there were questions around safety for workers who took up the offer in Japan and what quarantine requirements they might face trying to come back to Australia.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has raised its travel advice from Japan to level 2 – “exercise a high degree of caution” – due to the risk of coronavirus.

The Australian passengers on the Diamond Princess who were evacuated from Japan have been sent for two weeks of quarantine in the Northern Territory.

“The information provided is unbelievably scanty for the huge expectation that some of their workforce will put up their hands for one of the most perilous cleaning jobs in the world at the moment,” Ms Ryan said in a statement.

“We are very concerned with this targeting of our members employed in schools. Our members have specific skills and knowledge in cleaning the state’s education facilities, not in cleaning during an extreme public health crisis in another country.

“We are also concerned that Broadspectrum are not across the current upgraded Australian Government warnings on travel to Japan.”

She said Broadspectrum’s offer to workers was “disrespectful”.

“We have advised our members to not accept this offer,” she said.

“To put their health in danger and then risk being away from the workplace and their families for several weeks due to quarantine is not worth the few extra bucks Broadspectrum might plan to throw their way.”