Job Discussion Forums

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

http://fukuoka.generalunion.org/

Whether you are an ALT now or plan to be one, you might want to read this feature article by the general union, Fukuoka branch.

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

ShioriEigoKyoushi · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 364 Location: Japan

Inflames · Joined: 02 Apr 2006 Posts: 486

ShioriEigoKyoushi · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 364 Location: Japan

starteacher · Joined: 25 Feb 2009 Posts: 237

I mentioned elsewhere that some BOEs are hiring directly. This trend, I think, will continue. BOEs have been in the business for years, and they know where to cut their costs too.

So if you're gonna be an ALT, you may have only a few good years left frankly. Then your contracts will definitely never be certain.

There is also a good reason for this.. as more foriegners settle in Japan, there will be an increasing pool of teachers with less visa hassle and other stuffs. In addition, as they are preparing mandatory english in Elementary schools nationwide, they would want teachers to be more permanent. At some stage, they will not even need to hire from abroad, or the numbers needed will be limited. A lot of Japanese people are just as competent, if not better, in teaching English as native speakers.

So the ALT Scam, as any other scam, will get over.

But whilst the Union asks for BOEs to directly hire, the BOEs can also set their own salaries and that may not necessarily be higher than what dispatch companies are offering nowadays even with the scams.

So the only stable ALT job the Union is asking is that for a foreigner living permanently in Japan. And who is part of that union ?

Out with the JET, then out with the Dispatch companies. If you were to cut costs, as it seems common everywhere now, you cut as many middle people and layers as possible,

Hakushoon · Joined: 21 Jan 2010 Posts: 7

Thanks Glenski! Very interesting and definately gave me some ideas.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

tipo · Joined: 18 Apr 2007 Posts: 23 Location: Japan

I'm glad that this issue has been highlighted on this forum. The General Union has for a number of years been campaigning against illegal dispatching that is sub-contracting in Osaka Prefecture. Finally, in 2008 the Osaka Board of Education cancelled all its dispatching contracts with a number of dispatching companies including INTERAC. So, now the Osaka BOE hires its English language ALT's directly.

Atlas* · Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 11:44 pm Post subject:

What an interesting read Exclamation

Does anyone have any experience or further information on this point though? It seems it could lead to a huge increase in direct hires if hired not as a sub-contractor Wink

gwynnie86 · Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 159

I believe that somebody I speak to on the Facebook Interac forum has been stationed in Osaka. So this can't be true.

ShioriEigoKyoushi · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 364 Location: Japan

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Atlas* · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 7:41 am Post subject:

so if the ALT dispatchers start and end dates for contracts don't line up am I right in believing that it doesn't count as continued employment towards the 3 years before you are able to request full time from the BOE?

I have been at one school now for 3 and a half years and as it is coming up on contract negotiations this is something that I would definitely be looking into. Not sure if my work will count though Confused

Even working at the same BOE for all that time the dispatcher might have dogged me by having me basically "unemployed" for roughly a week each year. Mad

If that is true then it is certainly needing to be written up in the ALT scam.

Don't get my tone wrong though... teaching in schools and working with teachers and students has been really rewarding and it is likely to be something I will continue doing for a long time in one form or another. I've been improving my own qualifications and continually increasing effort in classes but getting some early security though through a BOE placement would help many a teacher breath a sigh of relief.

You all certainly are a helpful bunch Very Happy

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

That's what dispatch companies always say: "Oh, each year is a new contract. You haven't worked for us continuously for five years, although you've been at a single school and employed by us that entire time, you've were not an employee from 5p.m., March 31 until 8:30a.m., April 1, and so that law doesn't apply".

It doesn't apply until someone brings them to court.

So since you've been basically unemployed for a week each year (does that mean they actually didn't pay you for a full month in the last month?), yes, that's very likely exactly what they'll say.