Korean Job Discussion Forums

elmojito · Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Location: Korea

I was wondering if anyone has experienced any similar problems to me and would be able to help:

I work in a public middle school as part of the EPIK scheme and have done so for the past 11 months. I signed a 12 month contract. My employer is the local education office who answers to the provincial education office, both are government organisations. There are around 12 native speakers in my town scattered throughout the town's middle schools. We all have the same contract and are given our "orders" by the education office which are relayed by english speaking co-teachers in our respective schools.

As the time for leaving is nearly here, I recently enquired about when they would book my return flight. I have been told a few things now. Firstly, I was told they wouldn't book it, I must book it, pay for it and they would reimburse me. I had an issue with this because they frequently do not pay wages on time or the agreed amounts. Also, the contract stipulates, "employer will pay for return ticket". Secondly, I was told they would only reimburse me 900,000 won and if the flight cost more than this, I was to cover the costs. I've tried to find a flight for this amount and can't. There is nothing in the contract that details a limit on flight costs. Thirdly, I've been told I must vacate my apartment before the end of my contract to make way for the new native speaker!!!!

There have been so many problems in terms of not sticking to contracts throughout the year and I've tried to be reasonable and compromise. However, I really don't want to compromise on these latest issues. I've been in touch with a labor board and they just said, "you work for a branch of government so there is no way they can break the contract"-very useful, thank-you very much. I'm very worried about causing problems so then somebody will lose face and the whole matter could explode!

Any suggestions, please? Sad

passport220 · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Location: Gyeongsangbuk-do province

It would seem you are here on a E-2 visa so the return air fare is required by law. Contact the labor board, you do not have to formally file a complaint with them. However, they can contact your school and explain it is the schools responsibility to pay your return fare.

willneverteachagain · Joined: 17 Dec 2006

u do not have to leave the apartment until your last day which is the day u fly out. They can put the new teach in a hotel

dimnd · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: Western USA

if your contract was 10 months ..would that mean a person is not entitled to completion bonus or return airfare..the company did not pay the airfare here..

poet13 · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 8:45 am Post subject:

That was a strange reply..
"if your contract was 10 months ..would that mean a person is not entitled to completion bonus or return airfare..the company did not pay the airfare here." Guessing he or she didn't read the OP.

Your school is responsible for your airfare. That simple. If you have a standard EPIK contract, it reimburses airfare, with no qualifications. However, if they got you from say, Japan, and you want now to go to England, they may say that they will only send you back to where you came from. I think that's fair....sort of. I don't know what the law is. As far as whetherr it is you booking your ticket or them, I would prefer it was me. Otherwise you may find yourself laying over in Kabul to save 30 bucks.

Your apartment is yours until the end of your contract. If you walk in one day and there is another person, ask them to leave. Keep your door locked. Start moving your gear to a friends place. If you think there's going to be a problem, keep only your last weeks clothes in your apartment.

They are trying to bully you. I am surprised that your pay has been late. One of the nice things about not working for hakwons is that the government doesn't play silly money games.

I would suggest telling them that you will be out of your apartment on the day your contract ends, and that you will find the cheapest reasonable ticket that gets you to where you came from. Don't ask them if thats ok, just tell them....nicely though.

Let us know what happens.

kigolo1881 · Joined: 30 Jul 2006

Thanks alot dimnd, haven't read anything as incoherent as your reply to the OP.

Anyhow, OP sorry to hear that you have to problems at your public school. It really shouldn't be like this.

The apt is your's to stay in from the first day of your contract until the last one. If they are getting a new teacher to overlap your time there, then it's their responsiblity to find an accomodation for the fresh meat. To cover yourself, listen to what the previous poster said about your personal belongings.

Unimaginable to hear that you were paid late a lot throughout your time at the school and short changed. I always ask the admin officer to provide me with a monthly salary statement that include any deductions on every payday.

As for your return ticket. I'd rather book my own flight and give them the payment information i.e. wire instructions. If it exceeds the 900K KRW, then give them 2 other quotes that shows the current ticket prices.