North Korea skims pay hike meant for workers sent to China
Contract wages for North Korean workers newly dispatched to China have risen sharply in recent months, but the increase is only inflating what Chinese employers pay, not what the workers actually take home. A source in North Korea told Daily NK on Friday that the monthly wage stipulated in contracts between Chinese companies and North […]
North Korean workers dispatched to China are reaping a meager take-home pay despite a sharp rise in their contract wages, according to a source in North Korea. Contract wages for these workers, which were 2,500 to 2,800 Chinese yuan ($370 to $415) per person as early as last year, have surged to 3,200 to 3,500 yuan ($475 to $520) this year – a 28% increase at the low end and a 25% increase at the high end.
However, this increase is being absorbed by fees for dispatching workers, leaving workers' monthly take-home pay around 700 to 800 yuan ($105 to $120), unchanged from previous years. Chinese companies are bearing a higher cost per worker, but workers' salary remains the same. North Korean workers sent abroad do not receive their full wages directly; instead, the wages are managed collectively by North Korea’s dispatch agencies, with only a portion paid each month as living expenses.
The rest is deducted for various reasons, including "loyalty funds," mandatory contributions toward state and leadership-related projects, or state plan contributions. Despite the increased contract wages, workers feel no change in their living standards.
Written by urgent.news from Daily NK's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
