Malta effectively deports N. Korean workers

The government of Malta has effectively deported some 20 North Korean workers amid international concern the regime in Pyongyang is abusing such workers to earn hard currency, government sources said Thursday.

Malta is the first European Union nation to take such a measure.

Sources said that Malta has sent North Korean workers back home in the form of denying an extension of their expiring visas. Under the measure, some 20 North Koreans, who had worked at construction sites and garment factories, have all returned to the North, according to the sources.

Local construction firm Rite Mix and garment firm Leisure Clothing confirmed to Yonhap News Agency that all North Korean workers have left.

An official of Rite Mix said that about 15 North Koreans had worked for the company, but all of them left en masse around late May. A Leisure Clothing official also said that the company is no longer hiring North Korean workers.

Malta is considered having the closest relations with North Korea among EU members.

A source said that there have been continued media reports in Malta that North Korea workers have been suffering from long working hours and other abuses while getting only one third of their wages with the rest sent to their government.

Another diplomatic source said that it is meaningful in that Malta, even though it's the smallest country in the EU, has taken such a measure for the first time as a EU nation. The source added that other EU members could follow suit. (Yonhap)