North Korean workers in China are forced to send 70 to 80 percent of their meager wages to the North Korean regime as a "loyalty fund," making their lives more miserable, a U.S.-based news media report said Wednesday.

A source in China told Radio Free Asia recently that many North Korean laborers have no choice but to cope with poor living conditions since their actual income stands at less than $100 per month.

Such developments are taking place despite the fact that their wages have been on the rise and stand at around $300 to $400 per month this year.

Based on the actual amount received, the income of a North Korean laborer in China stands at just one fifth of their Chinese counterparts, the RFA said, adding that even the food expenses alloted for North Koreans are exploited by North Korean managers in Chinese firms.

Other sources also say that the Chinese firms that employ North Korean workers usually send most of the money allotted for each worker's wages to Pyongyang, and only a remaining $100 to $150 is handed over to the North Korean manager to distribute to the employees. However, even that small percentage of wages does not reliably make its way to the employee.

The media outlet also said that North Korean workers are paid more than before due to cheap expenses and a rise in demand, but their living standards do not show any improvement, as they always have to send most of their income to the Pyongyang regime. (Yonhap)