Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mathie1j]

Hello all,
I need some advice on how to get my final month's salary, my bonus, my return airfare, and my full pension. My fomer employer wants to cash my pension and give me the pension money as my airfair rembursement. I want to know what legal routes should I take. I am still in Korea and working for a new hakwon.
As well, my wife is Korean and she can help but she has never had to go through this and she is not sure where to start.

[Squid]

Your wife should find the korean government department of labor website and file a claim online for the amount you claim you are owed.

You will deal with the office closest to your former employer's home address.

They will contact you after they've contacted him to inform him of the claim.

Then you arrange a time and date to meet with him at the specified office.

If (s)he shows up you agree a settlement under the supervision of the official dealing with your claim... it's important to have a korean speaker with you at this point. You will need supporting documents here too- your bank book(s) & contract copy.

If s(he) doesn't show, which is likely if you're justified in your claim, the officer will offer them another chance. If not again a ruling in your favor will be made and a timeframe for payment made.

Any questions you're welcome to pm me.

Good luck

[wylies99]

Start with your documents- do you have everything?
Pay stubs
contract
Keep them SAFE- make copies and keep them in two different locations.

Did your boss give you anything in writing about this situation? If no, (probably no since rats like to keep evidence to a minimum), then try to get something in writing from him. He may be just that dumb if he thinks you are dumb, (rats always think they are slick, and smarter than everyone else).


This will end up being a battle at labor and pension. File at labor, first. The fact that you have someone who can translate for you will help you a great deal. Everything you submit MUST have a Korean translation attached or else they will be baffled at labor.

[maddog]

Labor office helpine is 1350, whether it's form landline or cell, then press 7 for English. They'll give you the address and phone number of the local branch.

[wylies99]

I suspect most of this should be handled through PM's. The less the school knows about your plans, the better.

[Adventurer]

I think you need to get a Korean with you and go to the Labour Board as soon as possible. I didn't use a lawyer. I got my last month's pay, but it did take me a few weeks. If you are in Seoul, you would have to go to the Seoul Labour Board. I had my difficulties with my last boss. My current job will have to take care of my airfare since my last workplace went bankrupt. I have a list of contacts if you need them. I did try to send you a pm.

[Raeddie]

I am in a similar position. My boss owes me 6 million won but I still have 2 more months on my contract. I am worried I am going to get screwed at the end of contract. I went to the Labor Board today and filled out a complaint. It was difficult because no one at the Labor Board office spoke English.

[J.B. Clamence]

Your boss should not be able to cash your pension. Go to the pension office and collect your own pension (well, you won't be able to do this until you leave Korea for good, but at least make sure it's safe there and that no one may take it but you). Then go to the labor board to get the remainder of what you are owed.

[magpie]

Basically it's what JB said as per go to the labor board to get your bonus and last months wages. Take a look at your contract because you might be in for a fight when it comes to the airfare (not leaving r u)so you might want to negotiate for say half. Also---it seems to me from what you've written that he hasn't been paying into the pension fund. You'll have to have the pension office run your ARC number in order to find out whether or not he has. Go get your money