Korean Job Discussion Forums

shorain · Joined: 07 Aug 2006 Location: PROC

k so i need some advice from you seasoned vets. i arrived in Korea last October and my school is a total joke. i wont bore you with the details but the other 2 foreign teachers working with me have handed in their notice in the last 2 weeks. they both have been here 6 and 7 months respectively.

now im getting really itchy feet as there are a lot of problems with the school and our director is a lying, sneaky woman. i did the business today and my director tells me that if i quit before my 6 months are up i have to repay my flight here as well as the expenese of my visa run to Japan and my 300K that i got for relocating or something. then my ass of a recruiter rang me after that confirming that this is all part of Korean Labour Law blah blah..... i was looking at some websites online but was just wondering if this is true?? Also does anyone have the number for the Korean Labour office

as ill be 5 months in by the end of March which is when i want to leave is it worth sticking it out for an extra month to avoid all this or is it all just bull???

ta for any advice :]

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Does it say that you have to pay back the for visa run in your contract?

BigBuds · Joined: 15 Sep 2005 Location: Changwon

None of it is part of Korean labor law. It's got to do with what it says in your contract, and that's it.

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

shorain · Joined: 07 Aug 2006 Location: PROC

thanks guys you're the best! i'll give them a ring this afternoon.

the funny thing is my contract is so vague all it says about contract termination is that me or my employer have to give one months notice and that's it. there's not a word about paying back any flights, expenses etc anywhere in my 2 page contract.

of course my idiot recruiter insists i must pay everything back as its part of the Korean Labour law blah,blah,blah. me thinks he is an ass! can't wait to tell him i rang the Labour office and that he is full of shite!!!!! ha,ha,ha feel much better now Smile

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Sounds good...you don't have to pay for the plane ride either. Contact the labour board and don't let the idiot recruiter try to scare you into wetting your panties. Recruiters and directors will lie out their teeth, bully and generally try to scare you out of your rights and your money. Don't let them, is my advice and get on the horn to the labour board and try to set up a face to face meeting w/ them. Also, bring a trusted K-friend w/ you as well. for translation and support and beware the officials may (but probably not) be in cahoots w/ the director...ie. BRIBE!