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| Should I take the job with Jump Start? |
| Take the job! Jump Start is an outstanding company! |
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| Don't take the job! Stay in Japan and keep looking for a job! |
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| Total Votes : 10 |
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Lover
Joined: 14 Feb 2005
Posts: 86
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 Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 5:12 am Post subject: Does anyone know about Jump Start? |
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Jump Start has offered me a position to teach at their kindergarten in the morning and tutor elementary school kids during the afternoon. Does anyone know anything about Jump Start?
They seem like honest and sincere people! But I have been wrong before. Let me give you a brief explanation about my situation. I am in Japan. I took a job with a corrupt company that owes me two months salary. It doesn't look like I am ever going to see that money. Japan doesn't enforce labour laws. I had gone to college here in Japan years ago and so I am really hurt by this. I never imagined a Japanese company could be so corrupt.
Anyway, now I want to experience another part of Asia and so I figure Taiwan is the place. However, I don't want to leave Japan just to go to another corrupt company and get taken advantage of again. If anyone knows anything about Jump Start please post some information. Anything will deeply be appreciated from the bottom of my heart  |
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Aristotle
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1388
Location: Taiwan
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| Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 6:57 am Post subject: |
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Chances are you signed a contract that allows your employer to keep your salary. It's called an individual work agreement and is a tool used globally by employers to circumvent local labor laws. Here on Taiwan the practice is mandated by the occupational government.
You must submit a written complaint to the labor claims division of your local labor bureau in Japan.
On Taiwan filing a similar claim with the Council of Labor Affairs is grounds for termination and arbitrary revocation of your work permit and residency certificate (deportation).
File a complaint and let the Japanese labor bureau do their job. Unlike Taiwan it will not be ignored and they will enforce the law but like most things in Japan it takes time because they review every detail. Unlike Taiwan you will still be allowed to find another job and continue working and living in Japan regardless the opinion of the labor bureau.
On Taiwan nearly all ARC/ Work visas are modeled after the US H1B visa with the exception to rights of residency and protection of your basic human rights.
If you lose your job for any reason your employer will have you deported and blacklisted. The Taiwan Council of Labor Affairs arbitrarily enforces labor contracts in favor of the Chinese employer regardless their lelegality. Unless you have contacts (quanxi) in the corrupt government on Taiwan you have no rights as a foreign laborer.
If you think Japan is bad you are in for a big surprise here on Taiwan.
The local government and population routinely ignore laws and regulations in favor of corruption and racism.
Even the local population finds it nearly impossible to get the democratically elected government to enforce their rights under Taiwan's toothless and widely ignored labor laws. Foreign workers are treated even worse than the locals and subjugated to the level of animals or beast of burden.
If you wish to have comprehensive information on a particular school you will need the work address and telephone number of the school you will be working at. If that is not possible get the full name of the person who contacts you.
Send it to:
[email protected]
Good luck!
A.
Last edited by Aristotle on Wed Jun 22, 2005 9:35 am; edited 1 time in total |
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clark.w.griswald
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 2056
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| Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 8:17 am Post subject: |
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As usual Aristotle has failed to support any of his claims and as such they are nothing but misguided opinions based upon his own personal prejudices and naievity.
| Aristotle wrote: |
| On Taiwan filing a similar claim with the Council of Labor Affairs is grounds for termination and arbitrary revocation of your work permit and residency certificate (deportation). |
This is incorrect.
Aristotle has clearly not had anything to do with the CLA and he merely brands them as being 'the government'. I have found them to be a very progressive department in my personal experiences with them.
The fact is that the CLA is supportive of foreign teachers, to a certain degree. There has never been a case where someone lodged a complaint with the CLA and was deported for this. Aristotle this seems to be what you are suggesting so you really need to support this claim.
There is however evidence (actual cases) where people facing deportation at the hands of the foreign affairs police for breach of visa conditions were given a reprieve by the CLA to remain in the country legally until their appeals had been heard. The CLA was under no legal obligation to do this, but they chose to do it anyway. On such case that readers can check on is the case of Scott Ezell. The facts of the case can be seen here.
| Aristotle wrote: |
| Unlike Taiwan it will not be ignored and they will enforce the law but like most things in Japan it takes time because they review every detail. |
This is also incorrect. The CLA has a proven track record of invesitigating and making decisions on such cases. All one need to is seek an appeal and one will no doubt be granted. Aristotle is obviously unaware of this as he is too busy attempting to discredit the organization to further his own agenda, rather than actually do any research.
| Aristotle wrote: |
| Unlike Taiwan you will still be allowed to find another job and continue working and living in Japan regardless the opinion of the labor bureau. |
Where does it say that people cannot continue working in Taiwan in a similar situation? Provided that you maintain legal residency and the right to work, then you will be afforded this right.
| Aristotle wrote: |
| If you lose your job for any reason your employer will have you deported and blacklisted. |
This is misleading and blatantly incorrect - once again.
There is no evidence that people get deported for losing their job, and there is no evidence of this because it just doesn't happen. If you leave one job, or get fired, you just get a new one and either update or renew your residency information.
Employers have no right to blacklist teachers, nor are they a part of the process of blacklisting teachers. Aristotle is sorely misinformed if he thinks that they do have a part of this process.
The CLA blacklists teachers who run away from their contracts - not for any other reason. It is that clear and simple, and it pointless trying to argue otherwise as it just doesn't happen. No teacher has ever been blacklisted by the CLA for anything other than running away without notice. Plenty of teachers quit their jobs and get fired here in Taiwan, yet none of them end up on any blacklist. Aristotle - you are wrong!
| Aristotle wrote: |
| The Taiwan Council of Labor Affairs arbitrarily enforces labor contracts in favor of the Chinese employer regardless their lelegality. Unless you have contacts (quanxi) in the corrupt government on Taiwan you have no rights as a foreign laborer. |
Once again, pure biased opinion based upon no facts whatsoever.
The fact is that the legislation protects foreign teachers who are legally employed here, and the CLA does what they can and are required to do. Anyone who has had any dealings with this organization would know this. Aristotle ignorance of the situation clearly shows that he has no first hand knowledge of what actually goes on.
Aristotle, assuming that your claim above is true, then how to you explain the well publicized outcome of the teacher who took Kojen to task for illegally withholding her deposit. The legislation protected her and she received the full support of the government. More about this case can be found here. That's just one case. There are a couple more that I can think of two where the findings were in favor of the foreign teacher, here and here.
| Aristotle wrote: |
| Foreign workers are treated even worse than the locals and subjugated to the level of animals or beast of burden. |
If that were true for foreign teachers then why would so many come to this island, and why is it that so many are staying for many years.
When I arrived in 1995 the average length of stay for foreign teachers was one year, with those living here for three years being considered old timers.
Now, ten years later, the average term that teachers choose to stay is about three to five years, while the number of long term teachers (10 to 15 years) has risen drammatically.
These are all facts that can't be disputed, and they all seem to discredit your claims.
| Aristotle wrote: |
| If you wish to have comprehensive information on a particular school you will need the work address and telephone number of the school you will be working at. If that is not possible get the full name of the person who contacts you. |
You don't need any of that in your case.
Jump Start is a reputable company that is well known here in Taiwan. There have been no serious complaints made about the company as they employ legally, offer training and support, and pay on time.
Complaints made about the school in the past have been largely due to a high workload for a rather small amount of pay. This is all explained up front and outlined in the contract, so I think that you only sign a contract if you agreed to these terms.
The only thing that I don't personally like about Jump Start is that the positions are salary based. I believe that you can live better and earn more on an hourly rate. No one has ever been able to show me how and why a salary is better for the teacher.
For more information about this school you can check out the comments about the school over at www.buxiban.com . |
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Girl Scout
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 525
Location: Inbetween worlds
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| Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 9:27 am Post subject: |
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Listen to Clark.
If we knew a little more about the contract terms we would be better able to advise you. You need to divide the hours you work into your salary. If your are not making at least 550NT/hour then you could probably do better. However, if the job also includes a lot of perks then the lower wages my be deemed accecptable.
You already have experience living in Asia. You don't need to take the first job that is offered. I always suggest seeing the school before signing the contract. Try to talk to some current or former teachers and find out what they like and didn't like. Pick a school that will make you feel comfortable. |
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Lover
Joined: 14 Feb 2005
Posts: 86
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| Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 10:53 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="Aristotle"]File a complaint and let the Japanese labor bureau do their job. Unlike Taiwan it will not be ignored and they will enforce the law but like most things in Japan it takes time because they review every detail.
I did file! The labour Board of Japan is a waste of tax payers money. I had written proof yet they believed the owner of the company over me.
Anyway thanks for the infor! I will check it out!
Girl Scout! You are right, I should see the school first. |
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Aristotle
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1388
Location: Taiwan
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| Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 7:02 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I did file! The labour Board of Japan is a waste of tax payers money. I had written proof yet they believed the owner of the company over me |
File an appeal, in Japan it's free. Contact your local teacher's union and ask them to assist you. It is in thier best interest to do so even if you are not in the Union.
Good luck!
A. |
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clark.w.griswald
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 2056
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| Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 1:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Aristotle wrote: |
| File an appeal, in Japan it's free. |
An appeal is free in Taiwan too, so I guess that your advice can be extrapolated across to include Taiwan then.
So we are in agreement, if you encounter a problem as a legal teacher in Taiwan there is a process that can be used to protect you, and teachers are encouraged to file a claim. |
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JLockeCU
Joined: 01 May 2005
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 12:55 am Post subject: |
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Hey, my name is Matt and I just signed up for Jumpstart. Actually, I got to Taiwan yesterday and I am writing this from Tainan now!
Anyway, it seems to me, having not worked a second for them, but having read a lot about them, that Clark sums it up very well. They tell you whats up, and its not all great, but they are honest about what is up.
Lydia, the main recruiter, is an absolute charm to work with. She is funny and clearly cares about people. She met me at the Taipei bus station after a very nice ride to the station. She helped me get to Tainan, and I know that when I come up to Taipei we will get together.
If you want future updates on how I think of them, email me at JLockeCU at Y ahoo.
I will also vote in your poll when I know better  |
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JLockeCU
Joined: 01 May 2005
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 12:58 am Post subject: |
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Oh! And at least for me, the pay is actually hourly. In some of their adds they put TWND 55,000 a month, but really, that seems to be an estimate. The actual pay seems to always be hourly. I saw both a Taipei and the Tainan contracts (I was thinking about both cities at points), and both had an hourly wage. When I asked Lydia about this, she said that the 55K was what they expected, but it is ultimately hourly (which, as Clark points out, is clutch).
Matt |
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clark.w.griswald
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 2056
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| Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 11:38 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the info Matt.
Be sure to keep us all updated with the position, be it good or bad, and don't forget to post a review of the school over at www.buxiban.com for the benefit of future teachers. |
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Lover
Joined: 14 Feb 2005
Posts: 86
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| Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:56 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks for all the sound advice! I am contemplating if I should move or not! |
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Big John Stud
Joined: 07 Oct 2004
Posts: 513
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| Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 2:07 am Post subject: |
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| I just saw this thread and so felt obligated to warn you. Jump Start is a corrupt school. Don't trust the lady doing the recruitment. She told me one lie after another! Don't take the job! Look else where! |
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clark.w.griswald
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 2056
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| Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 4:37 am Post subject: |
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| Big John Stud wrote: |
| I just saw this thread and so felt obligated to warn you. Jump Start is a corrupt school. Don't trust the lady doing the recruitment. She told me one lie after another! Don't take the job! Look else where! |
Big John, as someone who has had dealings with the school your post certainly is of interest, but is pretty short on information.
Care to post a more detailed account of why this school should be avoided? Details can add credibility to your post and actually have the effect of informing people about why your opinion about the school is such. As it stands, it can be difficult to determine whether you are just a disgruntled employee or whether you have a legitimate complaint. |
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Big John Stud
Joined: 07 Oct 2004
Posts: 513
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| Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 6:32 am Post subject: |
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[quote="clark.w.griswald"][Big John, as someone who has had dealings with the school your post certainly is of interest, but is pretty short on information.
Care to post a more detailed account of why this school should be avoided? Details can add credibility to your post and actually have the effect of informing people about why your opinion about the school is such. As it stands, it can be difficult to determine whether you are just a disgruntled employee or whether you have a legitimate complaint.[/quote]
I think the OP is better of doing research and being very careful. Lot's of what was told to me was not true. For example, I was not paid as much as promised.
However, you do have a point no matter what I write, I might just be a creative disgruntle ex-employee. So my advice to the OP call around, be as careful as possible. Keep looking for other jobs. Make sure to get a contract, and read the fine print before signing it. Good luck! |
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