Korean Job Discussion Forums

[luv2dance79]

I just wanted to share this with everyone who may be wondering why their boss doesn't have to pay into the pension plan. I found out that my school had me as individually insured...basically, a freelance/self-employed person. I kept getting calls and paystubs from the pension office and went there to settle my pension questions once and for all. I took my paystubs, my passport and a copy of my contract with me...This was my reply.

Hi~

I'm sorry for late message.
After you came here, I checked somethings about the institute.

The institute was withdrew from the Pension Scheme and the Health Insurance as a workplace in April because there was no worker. The institute is an individual company, not a juridical one. If an individual company has no worker, it is not the subject of entering the Scheme as a workplace.

And you and your coworkers declared your income as a business income, not an earning income. So you guys are not worker, but self-employed persons.
You and your coworkers can not enroll the Pension Scheme as a worker.

As I told you before, the head of the institute doesn't want to enroll the Scheme as a workplace, because, in my opinion, he doesn't like to pay half of your contributions.

But, as long as the Pension Service and the Health Insurance make certain that the institute has a worker except your boss, we can enforce him on enrolling the Scheme. We have the legal authority to do that. When the institute is enrolled, you and your coworkers can be enrolled the Scheme and the Health Insurance as a workplace-based person.

Now, we don't have any data that says there is a worker in the institute. So we can do nothing. I'm very sorry for that.

For reference, the U.S and Korea have a social agreement. Under the agreement, you can get your contributions back when you go back your country.

If you have any question, please send me an e-mail any time^^

Have a nice day !!!


Now, this worries me because if I'm not a worker, then I am not covered under any of the Labor Laws. I'm almost eight months into my contract and am going to stick it out in hopes that I'll see my severence. But, if the business is registered as private (no other worker besides my boss). Then, he must be ripping me and the ten other teachers I work with off by deducting taxes...70,000 a month. Freaking shady a** hagwon owners. I hope this will help others out...Don't sign a contract unless you know for sure that the owner has his hagwon registered as a workplace.

Can you really believe this though? The pension office has the proof that he's lying, but won't do anything. Guess they really can't be bothered...Oh Korea!

[yingwenlaoshi]

That has "wrong" written all over it. You can't be self-employed on an E2 visa. The law states that you must be covered under the pension and health plans. Simple as that. If your boss stopped coverage and you go in to their office to find out what's going on, it's the pension office's duty to look into it. Not to send you on your way wondering what's up or down.

I'd contact the labor board and confront your boss about it.

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

If you want to be self-employed,or self-contracted,so called,which makes no sense anyways,as you are sponsored in the country...you better be getting a lot more for it.

As in 3-400.000 more per month minimum with a pre-signed letter of release.

Otherwise it's all for nowt.ie all for nothing.

[luv2dance79]

When I first got here I went round and round with my boss on the issue. I was hoping the pension office would do something, but they just don't care and pretty much told me there's nothing they could do about it. Now, I think the same would happen at the Labor Board. I'm just sick of trying to make my point since his word seems to be golden.

I'm just hoping this can help some people avoid this situation. I've already been plotting what to do if I don't get my severence. Thinking of the whole thing pis*es me off and I'm trying not to get worked up so I can just finish peacefully and get what's owed to me...but yeah...taxes...He's totally pocketing them. How could he not be since he's not reporting that he has workers? I'm just worried that if I continue making a big deal out of it they are going to screw me over even more.

[yingwenlaoshi]

[luv2dance79]

He deducts health insurance. Not a penny has been put towards pension. The school isn't enrolled...none of the teachers pay pension. After going to the office they told me to disregard the contribution statements. I don't have to pay because I'm not an employee. What a bunch of shite!

Does the Labor Board have regional offices like the NPS, or is there one main branch?

[Masta_Don]

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

Who told you to disregard pension contributions?

-Take it further.Head Office in Jamshil,I believe..They will be incenced and fine him.Contact Head Office,do not tell your school anything more.They've more than had their warning and will suppose that you will stay in your hold.

They don't pay requisite HInsurance?Are you happy your life is a source of profit for your school?

-Go to Labour Board on that one too.

Go to the top of the chain.

[luv2dance79]

The pension office told me to disregard...I'm not an employee.

[shifty]

Don't pester the pension people further, it is quite true what they say.

Crapwons have got around the pension by registering you as a private contractor. As such you have to pay 3,3 % tax which is higher than it could be if the legit route is followed. Also national insurance is supplanted by a accident only cheapo job.

It's been dealt with before in detail: Do a search under Ttompatz.

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

Call 1355,national pension office.

http://www.nps.or.kr/

[yingwenlaoshi]

[luv2dance79]

I'm definitely not contacting the NPS again. They WON'T do anything. Really, my main concern is not being covered under the Labor Laws and my hagwon knows this.

Thanks for the feedback though!

[yingwenlaoshi]

[yingwenlaoshi]