Korean Job Discussion Forums

jlaskie · Joined: 19 May 2007 Location: Boston, MA

okay, question. in my contract, the insurance clause is kind of vague--it pretty much just states that insurance will be provided, split between the employer and employee. when i was communicating with the school about this, i asked if i would be enrolled in nhic (which i know is required by law), and they said yes. however, that wasn't put in the contract.

now that i'm here, i asked about when i'd be getting my nhic booklet, and i was told..."there's no card. you just keep the receipt from the doctor, and we'll reimburse half." wtf? that is NOT insurance. i played it cool at the time since i don't know exactly what my leverage is. i know that someone's getting cheated if i'm not actually enrolled in nhic, and if that's the case, they're breaking the law...so is my contract null and void? or is it void if THEY break the contract (insurance clause)?

i'm not super concerned about insurance to be honest, but there other "red flag" points such as taking out deposit money for unpaid bills...which is sketchy it and of itself, but the way it works now, all my utilities are deducted before i ever see my money, so it's even more sketchy. there are few other things that make me kind of weary, so i'm just wondering if i have a loop hole...so that i can get my money and find a place that would make me more comfortable.

it's not a bad working environment, but i'm protective of my money and dont feel like taking it up the ass. thoughts? resources?

garykasparov · Joined: 27 May 2007

If your boss doesn't make payments you'll no longer be considered the "Employee Insured." Your boss will assume that you'll have to pay 100% of the monthly contributions when you are no longer considered the "Employee Insured." Hagwon employers do this all the time to teachers in Korea. If you choose to work at another job, the National Health Insurance Corporation will tell you that you'll need to pay for unpaid monthly contributions. They will inform you that your ex-employer also owes money for unpaid monthly contributions and they will have to be paid as well. The representative at the NHIC will most likely tell you to call your ex-employer to square things away. Employers rarely take responsibility at this point.

Whistleblower · Joined: 03 Feb 2007

#1350 for Labor.

Speak to them and they will sort out your employer.

yingwenlaoshi · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Location: ... location, location!

Unfortunately you have to get off your butt and insist that they do all of these things. Not criticizing you. Just that I know it's a pain in the arse.

I'd go with the previous poster though. It call all be too much of a headache. Just call labor. Tell your boss first that that's what you're going to do if everything's not taken care of. That might make him move.