Job Discussion Forums

[ellecbee]

OK, I am currently working in Chile and my contract is ready to expire come August. I applied to the Swara Group and I just found some pretty scary things on here about them. Those posts are from last year, sometimes things can change, but that typically does not happen. I am supposed to interview with them soon, but it looks like I shouldn't waste my time and keep looking.

Anyone working for them now?

[father Mackenzie]

Hi ellecbe,

I work for Swara group and I have for a couple of years. You are right, the posts are from last year or even the year before that. What happened in the past is, in my opinion not relevant to do today and how the schools are run now.
There are always 2 sides to every story and sadly there are times when only the negative is told.
Why not give the interview a chance, do you have anything to lose by having it?

[malu]

I checked and, yes, no complaints about issues arising at EF Swara for a while now.

Anyone else working there now or recently with anything to add?

[ljb]

Hi

I also work for EF Swara and have done for almost 5 years. I have seen the organisation take on board many of the negative issues that have been raised by teachers in the past, this has resulted in positive changes being made where appropriate. There are teachers who are in their 2nd, 3rd and 4th year contracts at this school and I think in many ways this speaks for itself.

I also feel there was a time when this forum went through a very negative phase and I for one am happy that times have changed and we can see some positive postings in support of schools all over Indonesia.

I agree with Father M. have the interview and ask the questions you need to ask to feel comfortable with your decision.

Go for it and good luck to you whatever you decide.

[Ozindo]

In a perfect world, our work situations would also be perfect. However, it's not a perfect world. I speak from personal experience, however, when I say Swara is a good training ground for inexperienced teachers. It's also got quite a few teachers who've been with the group for several years - a sign that things must be OK, as people don't tend to stay where they are treated badly. If you're looking for somewhere you can relax and save money for the next step on your journey around the world, then maybe Swara (and perhaps Indonesia) is not for you. If you're looking to develop professionally, meet some friendly colleagues, and interact with people from a fascinating - if complex - culture, then why not have the interview and find out more? You'll be expected to work pretty hard, but you'll be paid each month and - from my experience - be looked after in many ways. It's worth remembering that people are quick to complain, but slow to praise. In the past - again from personal experience - people did write to this forum voicing (probabably legitimate) concerns, but "forgot" to mention that (in some cases) they had been less than conscientious in fulfilling their side of the agreement they had with the company.
Anyway, why not try the interview - even the experience of that process is helpful.

[voltaire]

I worked there around 2002. I'd be glad to hear if they've improved. Ask them if you can talk to some of their current teachers. You can tell a lot from their reaction. Do some comparison shopping. I'll bet almost every other place still pays more, and you won't have to work Saturdays. Ask the other teachers how long it took to get a proper visa, and if they ever had to hide when the immigration officers visited the school.

[ellecbee]

Thanks for the insight. I will go ahead and have my interview and ask some questions and see if I can speak to a couple of teachers. If teachers are renewing their contracts, thats usually a good sign. Its kind of tough to gauge what a good package is, I'm used to South American standards at present!

[voltaire]

Has anyone considered the possibility that these teachers can't leave?

I still have doubts about the Swara Group. Why do they still have to recruit more than any other group by far? I'm suspicious when a school never ever removes its ad from Dave's and elsewhere.

By the way ellecbee, what are South American standards at present? What countries are hot for English, what is the going salary, and which pay best?

[malu]

There certainly were some serious issues in the past including immigration shenanigans and excessive working hours and lack of time off, and the complaints voiced here and elsewhere were not simply disgruntled former employees taking a cheap shot.

That being said, if EF Swara have been able to address those problems and move forward then more power to their collective elbow. They remain one of the largest employers of newbies to Indonesia and if they are doing things properly then that is to everyone's benefit. A leopard CAN change its spots.

The acid test of whether an employer of foreign workers is doing things by the book is tax registration. Ozindo, ljb and Father Mac: can you assure us that all EF Swara FTs have a tax registration number (NPWP)?
Ellecbee: If you don't receive a NPWP from your employer here it means you have to pay a stonking 2.5Mill exit tax called the Fiskal if you want to leave the country for a holiday mid-contract.

[voltaire]

This is all good advice malu. I don't know where you ever got your nickname. Jangan malu, iya?

As for leaving Indonesia during your year contract for a holiday, be sure Swara gets you a multiple-exit/re-entry visa, rather than the single exit visa. I knew a chap who missed his sister's wedding in America because Swara had him on the single one.

Another thing to consider is that working Saturdays you will rarely if ever have a chance to leave the city during your year in Indonesia. If you want to see those beautiful beautiful fields of emerald green rice, I suggest you do a google image search.

And yes, you definitely don't want to have to pay the Rp2. mil fiskal tax when you leave Indonesia. It's a tariff the gov't charges basically because no one can tell them not to. it's for rich Indonesians shopping in Singapore and Hong Kong (who don't like it any more than we do) and foreigners who were in the country on a tourist visa - a real nice kiss good bye for them!

Two point five mil is one-third of a month's salary at Swara, don't you know?

[Ozindo]

In answer to your question, Malu, I've got an MPWP number. In response to other comments in this thread: Speaking from experience, Swara teachers are not out of pocket through paying fiskal; there are eight schools in the group so - even with many teachers choosing to stay - it stands to reason that, year-round, there will be teachers moving on and others needed to replace them... seems reasonable to keep ads running so that the recruitment and bureaucratic process can be done effectively; pre-contact with current teachers is actively encouraged and prospective teachers are able to ask questions about not only the working conditions, but also about cultural and other issues.

[ellecbee]

Well voltaire, let me tell you about South American standards....... there is no money, but when did anyone ever get into ANY kind of teaching for the money........ sigh.

The market here is primarily teaching Business English and you teach on site. Which basically means you are trapsing around your city on crowded buses or metro's. I'm in Chile with the biggest market here being Santiago, the second largest market is Valparaiso. There is a pretty big market in Brazil teaching BE as well, but even less money there. There is a decent market in Colombia, but it's still not safe for Gringa's like me there.

South America is beautiful, the wine is cheap and fantastic, but you barely make enough to live much less see the place - come with some savings.

[Oreally]

The past is just that, if people learn and grow from it. There is no evidence Swara has. The continued lack of any kind of consistent, GENUINE praise bears this out. Have they made current teachers available for you to speak with? Will they let you contact leaving teachers to find out why they are going? Have they told you anything about teacher training/development program? Do they answer any questions about the academic program? Have they asked you any questions about your career path, long term goals or anything that would indicate you are up to the job? Ellecbee, you are going into a bad situation. I doubt Swara will EVER change. Good luck whatever you do.

[melsabee]

I just had my interview with EF Swara. Let me start by saying the man that interviewed me was extremely kind, interesting and informative. That being said, it was one of the worst packages I have heard while going through the job interview process. They expect you to work 6 days a week with less pay than any other job offer I have had in Indonesia, no promise of a decent schedule (split shifts, constant class changes, etc.)less paid holidays and no free housing! I should've asked the nice man if he worked Saturdays for ~9 mil./ mo.

[Ozindo]

Look at it another way. Your interviewer painted the worst-case scenario. Rather than promise all kinds of wonderful things and then find they're not delivered, you got the "warts-and-all" picture. The reality could be very different. From my experience, scheduling is very rarely as bad as was painted. For a first-year teacher it can provide valuable experience, and there are are many lower-paying positions in other places.
Guess it depends what your goals are. Best of luck, whatever you choose.