According to the Pyongyang Times (2016-2-3):
The DPRK has modified its labour regulations for the economic development zones, which were worked out according to a decision of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly on December 12 2013.
According to them, a foreign investment business is encouraged to employ local manpower as much as possible but it may hire foreign management staff, specialists and technicians.
The fixed monthly minimum wage is set by the central agency for the special economic zones guidance in consultation with relevant provincial-level people’s committees and EDZ management agencies.
An employee is supposed to work 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week on average.
A business shall make sure that employees take rests on local holidays and Sundays.
The forms of payment to the employees involve wage, incentives and bonuses.
According to the quality and amount of work, payment should be done correctly and employees who have carried out the same amount of work are to be paid evenly on an equal footing irrespective of gender and age.
The monthly wage is up to a business. In this case, it cannot be set lower than the fixed minimum wage.
While making preparations to start operation, a business may set the salary for employees, apprentices and unskilled hands within the scope of over 70 per cent of the fixed minimum wage.
A business shall pay for its employees’ regular and supplementary leaves in accordance with the number of their days off.
Female staff on maternity leave shall be paid over 60 per cent of the leave allowances.
If a business works an employee while on leave, it shall pay him or her the equivalent of 100 per cent of the wage per day or hour, as well as their leave allowances.
A business shall give supplementary living allowances that account for over 60 per cent of their wages per day or hour to those who are under training or out of work due to the management.
When it works an employee late at night or overtime, the business shall pay him or her 150 per cent of the wage per day or hour.
If the work is done overtime late at night, 200 per cent of the wage per day or hour shall be given to the worker.
If a business works an employee on holidays or Sundays without compensatory days off, it should pay 200 per cent of the wage per day or hour.
The wage is given in cash, and the bonuses and incentives may be paid in the form of notes or goods.
The DPRK citizens and their families in the EDZ are to benefit from the social and cultural policies of the government, namely free education and medical service, social insurance and social security.
If any breach causes damages to the lives, health and properties of a business or employee, it shall be restored to their original state or compensated duly for the damages.
By Cha Myong Chol PT
