Korean Job Discussion Forums

twavelingteacher · Joined: 26 Jun 2007 Location: South Korea

Every day I take a taxi from my third public school home and pay about 40 dollars a day. I thought the extra pay for working at another two schools was extra pay working at schools, not for taxis. At least that's what my recruiter inferred. I am feeling taken advantage of because of this "miscommunication." Other "miscommunications" have also occurred and my wallet has sufffered. I want to leave.

koon_taung_daeng · Joined: 28 Jan 2007 Location: south korea

tell them this and say if they dont pay for your transportation you will leave

rutan668 · Joined: 03 May 2006 Location: Incheon Korea

Have you considered using the bus?

twavelingteacher · Joined: 26 Jun 2007 Location: South Korea

can't do the bus because of time constraints.
my recruiter inferred that my rural allowance or whatever you call it was for working at 2 extra schools, and it would be a boost of pay. he did not tell me i would have to pay for taxis. the school expects me to pay and have told me so.

Richard Krainium · Joined: 12 Jan 2006

Buy a cheap used car, motorcycle or scooter. 40,000 won a day for taxis? That's just crazy.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

twavelingteacher · Joined: 26 Jun 2007 Location: South Korea

what about the 100,000 won for teaching at an extra school or two? I thought it was for having a second school and the trouble associated with it, extra/different lessons, etc, but then the school says it is for transportation. they made me pay the alien registration card money too and other things that just don't seem right to me.

LuckyNomad · Joined: 28 May 2007

I think your having your chain pulled. I get paid extra travel expenses for walking to the elementary school that is next door to my school.

jellobean · Joined: 14 Mar 2006

No way you should be paying for taxis.... Nor should your working hours (including transport between schools) be longer than stated in your contract... Start taking the bus... They are feeding you a line about the rural allowance being for transportation, it's not....

twavelingteacher · Joined: 26 Jun 2007 Location: South Korea

What is the 100,000 won for working 2,3 public schools for? supposed to be for? anyone know?

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

It's rural allowance for living in the boonies, naught to do w/ travel expenses...your school is dogging you!

Dome Vans · Guest

dogshed · Joined: 28 Apr 2006

twavelingteacher · Joined: 26 Jun 2007 Location: South Korea

thanks for the help; they told me they wouldn't pay for the taxis so I am going to stand up for myself. i also had to use the 300,000 won settlement fee to get my visa from japan and felt this was wrong too. I had to buy my arc card. this taxi thing just isn't right.

Bear256 · Joined: 28 Dec 2006 Location: Anacortes, Washington USA

I am sorry to say this as you are new but I would SERIOUSLY consider either putting in your notice or asking your provincial ministry of education for a transfer. You are new and want to fit in and just work but they're screwing you worse than a hogwan. The really sad truth is things get worse over time, not better here.

You might also call your coordinator at EPIK or GEPIK or what ever program you are part of and lay it out for them. They can talk to the school and straighten them out.

If you came here without an E-2 visa the school should have paid for your visa run. There is no way you should be paying 800,000 won a month to get to your job. If you are going to work and not make or save any money you might as well be in a good country, instead of here.

Good luck. I know it is hard to make waves when you are new here and uncertain about what will happen if you complain. All the respondents seem to be unified in telling you that you are being screwed. What you do about it is up to you.....