Number of North Korean workers in Malta triples

The number of North Korean workers in Malta has more than tripled since 2013 with the majority working for Leisure Clothing, according to figures provided by the Employment and Training Corporation. In July last year – the date up to which the ETC provided data – Leisure Clothing employed 36 North Korean workers. This is 63 per cent of the total number of North Koreans employed in the company in the private sector. Up to 2013, the company had no North Korean workers. Another five companies together employ 21 workers. The majority are employed within the manufacturing of textiles or the construction industry. The company denied that it has increased the number of North Korean workers. At the moment it employs 34 North Koreans, a spokesman said. They would need to leave, an obligation imposed by the company's foreign clients, he said, without wanting to establish a time frame. Some have already left – about five left last week, he added. He also claimed there are some 200 North Koreans working in Malta, which does not tally with statistics provided by the ETC. Whereas employment licences or permits are usually granted depending on labour market shortages, permits for Leisure...

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