North Korean workers returning from China are upset because they are not being paid in cash, but instead with bank-issued money vouchers. Residents told Radio Free Asia that they fear the vouchers may become worthless.
The vouchers were issued in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic and were meant to be used like cash until the pandemic ended. However, they are printed on lower quality paper than the currency and their validity is uncertain.
There is a lack of trust in the government’s handling of money matters due to a past currency revaluation that wiped out many people’s savings. As a result, faith in both the North Korean currency and the vouchers is low.
Workers who expected to be paid in yuan upon their return from China are now being given money vouchers, sparking further dissatisfaction. The government’s exchange rates and fees are also disadvantaging the workers, leaving them with minimal earnings.
Some workers have even had to donate their wages to various funds and subsidies, leaving them with nothing to show for their hard work in China. The situation has discouraged many workers from taking on overseas assignments due to poor working conditions and inadequate compensation.