▲ North Korean laborers working at Gaesung factory @Yonhap

On the 5th of last month, the U.S Department of State announced its 2006 Slave Trade Report, including its analysis of North Korean foreign workers human rights. International human rights organizations have asserted that if basic human rights are not secured in the Czech Republic, then their foreign employment should be blocked.

North Korea is sending low wage workers to various parts of the world, including Russia, China, Eastern Europe, and Africa, and it has been revealed that currently there are more than 300 laborers working in the Czech Republic.

Voice of America (VOA) reported on the 7th that “The major fundamental difference for North Korean laborers is not only that they have no freedoms, but also the excessive working hours, and that wages go directly to the North Korean government.”

On this day, Igor Blazevic of the Czech Republic human rights organization People in Need Foundation said in an interview with VOA “These people under watch and control work for very low wages. Times have changed, yet these people are no different from modern day slaves.”

The Czech Republic’s human rights NGOs asserted that if the country does not ultimately improve working conditions, then permission to employ North Korean laborers should not be granted. In addition, they asserted that this issue should be broached at the next UN Human Rights Council on the 19th.

Czech Republic Human Rights Organization States, “North Korean Workers Are Modern Day Slaves”

In an interview by journalist Maria Jelinkova of the LA Times, a North Korean worker stated, “I do not enjoy working in Czech Republic factories and want to return home.”

Kim Tae San, who entered Korea in 2002, and was president for the past 2 years of the 'Czech-North Korean Footwear Co-operation’, attested that “For 3 years North Korean women work alongside Czech Republic workers, receiving equal wages. However, of the $50, 70~80% is appropriated by the North Korean government, leaving $10~$13 per month to live on.”

However, Kim Tae San said “even though there are violations of human rights occuring, the conditions are far better than within North Korea. The reason these workers persevere is so that they can earn even one extra penny to feed and revive their families in North Korea.”

Kim indicated that without drastic changes to the North Korean system, simply approaching the issue of human rights will not help solve the problem.