Job Discussion Forums

[bailemos]

Am I missing something here, there seem to be alot of positions being advertised for immediate start or Dec. etc. Anyone know what the deal ?

b

[Venti]

Last year they were getting new B.O.E. contracts left and right. They opened up a lot of new positions because of that. They're probably still getting a lot of new contracts. Also, they usually start looking at filling vacancies for the next year's March/April start, in November. That's when they used to ask us to renew or give notice to quit at the end of our contract period (March/April).

[yamanote senbei]

ALT companies bid on contracts that usually start in April. As Interac ALTs are not paid full salaries for the months of August and December, that's when you'd expect them to bail out mid-contract.

[cornishmuppet]

I have question regarding Interac's pay. While they paid their teachers a shortened salary during Dec/Aug do they still recieve a full renumeration from the BoE? It doesn't effect me or anything, just wondered, since my BoE is currently moving from being a nice, cushy job to squeezing every last drop of work out of us, and I'm wondering if they have any pressure on them from dispatch companies.

[Glenski]

[cornishmuppet]

Hey Glenski, yeah I wondered if this might be the case. It doesn't affect me thankfully, but I wondered what the situation was. I'm a direct hire, and this year, instead of having a nice couple of weeks holiday at Xmas and Easter our BoE has decided all time off we used to have is now going to be swallowed under the phrase 'personal training', where we get farmed out to elementary schools and oji-san classes instead of having time off. I just wondered if they were getting pressured by dispatch companies and decided we had way too cushy a deal.

The result of course, is that where before they had a bunch of contented, hard-working, enthusiastic ALTs, they now have a bunch of pi ssed off people doing as little work as possible, and considering alternatives.

Saying that, its still way better than any eikawa.

[yamanote senbei]

[canuck]

I know someone who works for Interac right now in a junior high school. He has already started looking for a new job. He asked the Japanese teachers straight out why the school is using Interac rather than hiring directly. The Japanese teacher told him that it's tricky because if some at the school hires the teacher, and the teacher doesn't work out, it reflects directly on that person. By going through a company or middleman, the blame can be shifted to Interac and they can have another teacher at the school much quicker.

I think it's a weak excuse, but that's what was said.

[Willy_In_Japan]

" The amount that Interac teachers lose in August and December is minor compared to the amount that Interac steals from them every full month as an intermediary. Intermediate exploitation is illegal in Japan. "

I disagree. The deduction in August is 40 percent, and in December 25 percent. I am sure that their margins are not that high any longer as competition for contracts has become cuthroat.

Everyone is quick to blame Interac. I blame outfits like Heart, for REALLY pushing the wages down. From what I hear, no transportation fee, and NO pay in August. Plus they pay on order of 220,000 a month. Divide that by 12 and you don't get a pretty picture.

I think the unions are going after the wrong people. Go after the BOE's that are pushing for lower and lower cost ALTs. Go after the government who has allowed the 250,000 'minimum wage' to become a thing of the past.

[yamanote senbei]

Willy, you'd be suprised how much is being made on at least some ALT supply contracts even with the competition. If you've got the time, go to city hall and request information on the winning bid and the contract details. It's public information.

The point is that Interac, Heart or any other ALT "dispatch" company cannot supply ALTs to any BOE or private school by a servicing agreement. It's illegal. Because it's a form of illegal labour supply these companies are not allowed to profit at all from this kind of business. If Heart teachers were to organize, they could rightfully demand Heart repay all profits they made on their employment. That would move their salaries up to around 300,000 yen a month or higher, and they would also in some circumstances have legal basis to argue for permanent direct employment by the the BOE they were illegally dispatched to, again at a salary in the 300,000 yen a month area.

Don't blame the unions, because they only have the legal right to collectively bargain with employers, not with the BOEs or with the government.

[yamanote senbei]

[Willy_In_Japan]

I meant divide by 12 after multiplying 220,000 by 11.......

Interac plays games with 'location bonuses' and 'attendance bonuses', but they 'advertise' about 250,000 a month. If you aren't late, get no complaints etc, you get 250,000 for 8 months. Not so for the other 4.

I know that the dispatch company ALT positions are 'illegal' jobs, but I dont want to lobby against my job. It is up to the government to instruct the BOEs to stop using dispatch and to hire those teachers direct. Getting dispatch companies through contract negotiation to admit that they shouldn't be in the dispatch business is just not going to happen. And, if you did get them to say that.......oh, ok, we will only service businesses with English teachers.......we don't need that many ALTs.....you're fired. I guess that would be good in that more direct hire positions would come available, but really, the BOE's are the bad guys here. They are the ones taking lowest bids. They are the ones using dispatch companies. And, the government for allowing it to happen.

[ripslyme]

If you really hate dispatch work so much, try to find a direct hire position. They're somewhat rare, and the competition can be pretty stiff. But they are out there. I turned down a couple direct hire offers just last week! Yes, the schools contacted me asking if I wanted the position. The positions (as well as some other direct hires) are in the current ohayosensei. It's all about getting the word out and networking! (Having good credentials helps too... )

[Willy_In_Japan]

One thing to consider is that if you have a cushy ALT position where you do get a lot of time off, that a direct hire position might involve a lot more work.

I currently work part time and probably make more money than a direct hire.

Ripslyme, when you said 'if you really hate dispatch work so much, try to find a direct hire position.' I am guessing you mean plural you and not anyone in particular. This is true that direct hire positions are still out there, but the trend definitely seems to be going with dispatch companies. And, the wages being pushed lower and lower. I am expecting probably one more decent contract in April before things get even worse.

Lower wages, and a MUCH lower Yen versus the Canadian dollar has made me rethink staying in Japan.

[ripslyme]