Thousands of North Korean workers sent to Russia to cover the shortage of labor are undergoing extreme working conditions, According to these workers’ testimonies, mostly employed in the construction of skyscrapers and other infrastructure, they support days that exceed 18 hours a day, with just two days off a year.
Many live overcrowded in dirty and infested containers, or even sleep on the floor of construction works. In addition, they work in high -risk conditions, with lighting and minimum security equipment, even during the nights. According to the testimonies, They face constant threats of violence by supervisors. Cases of physical aggressions for falling asleep or trying to rest during the day have been reported, as well as serious occupational accidents without access to medical care.
Most of these workers requested to leave the country to escape poverty in North Korea. However, their salaries are largely confiscated by the regime, which It retains up to 90% of its income under the concept of “fidelity quotas.” They only receive a small part of the money – between 100 and 200 dollars a month – and, in most cases, they must wait to return to their country to access it, which dissuade escape attempts.
Other foreign workers, who perform similar tasks, receive wages up to five times greater. These have described them as “slaves“Because of the conditions in which they live and work.
Experts point out that Russia, in the midst of a growing shortage of workers, has found a cheap solution in North Korean work, although highly questioned. It is estimated that in 2024 some 10,000 North Koreans were sent to the country, and the figure is expected to exceed 50,000 this year. Many entered with student visas, which could be used as a strategy to avoid UN sanctions, which since 2019 prohibit the use of North Korean workers abroad.
In addition to construction work, thousands of these citizens have been transferred to conflict areas in Ukraine For demining and reconstruction of military infrastructureas part of the cooperation agreement between Moscow and Pyongyang.
Despite international prohibitions, the Kim Jong-un regime continues to send workers abroad as A source of incomewhile Russia, given the pressure of its economy of war, accepts and facilitates its presence.
