In 2014 a tragic accident occurred in a Gdynia, Poland shipyard, claiming the life of a welder. Little did anyone know that this was no ordinary worker. The victim was an immigrant from the secretive nation of North Korea, one of tens of thousands that have been coerced by their government into ‘labour agreements’. This incident is what inspired VICE News to investigate this hidden world and uncover a wealth of information about what can only be described as a form of modern-day slavery.
The documentary produced by VICE uncovered the shocking truth that around 50,000 people from North Korea have been trapped in jobs with terrible conditions and little or no pay. This is all part of what has become known as ‘forced labour’, where workers are used to generate funds for North Korean elites at the cost of their own human rights and dignity. These practices are estimated to be worth approximately two billion dollars each year to the powerful few at the top.
It is not just within its own borders that North Korea looks to exploit workers for financial gain either; forced labour extends abroad too, with workers sent overseas to make up for losses due to UN imposed sanctions. Sadly it is all too easy for these authorities to find individuals who are desperate enough for work they will agree to anything in order to support themselves and their families back home.
This documentary provides viewers with an eye-opening insight into this murky underworld, exploring how so many workers have been deprived from their basic rights and exploited by those more powerful than them. It serves as a stark reminder that human trafficking and abuse still exists today and should encourage us all to stand up against such injustices wherever we may find them. If you would like further details on this issue then get ready to watch the VICE News report today!
