Recently, it has been reported that the number of residents making a living by making eyelashes or wigs in North Pyongan Province, North Korea, is increasing. It is said that residents are jumping into making eyelashes and wigs because they can generate profits through effort without any initial capital.
On the 11th, a source from Daily NK in North Pyongan Province said, “Recently, the number of residents in various cities and counties in North Pyongan Province, including Sinuiju and Guseong, has increased significantly compared to before,” adding, “Female students from elementary middle school (our middle school) He said, “We are doing this without even going to school.”
According to sources, the production of eyelashes and wigs in North Korea decreased sharply due to the border blockade during the COVID-19 period, but is now becoming active again as the border blockade is eased.
It is known that it takes one day to make one eyelash if you stay up all night, or about two days if you use spare time, and to make one wig takes three to four days if you work hard.
The source said, “Making eyelashes or wigs was considered hard labor until COVID-19, so residents did not want to do it unless they were really poor,” and “But now it is difficult to make money, so they cannot even eat corn to fill their stomachs, so even if they do not have money, they can make up for the lack of food just by working hard.” “The number of residents who are taking on this problem that can be solved is increasing,” he said.
It is said that a person starting this job for the first time can begin work in earnest only after going through a 10-15 day apprenticeship and receiving approval from a trade agency representative from the Provincial Trade Bureau.
Meanwhile, sources reported that since late August, cash (North Korean money) has been paid instead of rice in exchange for production. The source explains that this is related to the recent rise in food prices in North Korea.
In fact, it is said that if you recently made eyelashes in North Korea and brought them to a trade agency representative, you would receive 3,000 won in cash for thick ones and 5,000 won for thin ones, based on 100 pieces. Previously, they received 500g or 900g of rice, but now they are paid in cash.
Based on the North Korean market price survey conducted regularly by Daily NK, assuming the current market price of 1kg of rice is approximately 6,500 won, 500g of rice is 3,250 won and 900g is 5,850 won. For the payer, it is slightly more advantageous to give cash instead of rice.
Also, in the case of wigs, depending on the size and weight, 5kg, 8kg, or 12kg of rice were paid in the past, but now the 12kg payment has disappeared altogether, and the cash payment has changed from a minimum of 15,000 won to a maximum of 30,000 won. This means that the price of 5 kg of rice in the current market is approximately 32,500 won, so they are receiving much less compensation.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that some elementary and middle school female students are getting into making eyelashes and wigs instead of going to school, which is causing concern as residents spread the word.
They are generally children from families with difficult living conditions, and they are known to be saving up the money they earn from making eyelashes or wigs to add to household expenses without spending a single penny, which is breaking the hearts of the residents.
The source said, “Many residents are saddened by the story of a middle school girl in Sinuiju who voluntarily skipped school and bought 5 kg of rice with the money she earned from making eyelashes and wigs day and night, despite no one asking her to do so,” adding, “She is already in her teens. “The residents’ consistent story is that it is heartbreaking to see them grow up, but it also breaks their hearts to see them struggling to make money to help with their household expenses,” he said.
Source: www.dailynk.com
