Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ManintheMiddle]

Not surprising in my view, but despicable nonetheless, Korean companies continue to close shop in China and flee, literally in the middle of the night, back to Seoul.

They've left behind unclaimed facilities, unpaid bills to the government, and worst of all, unpaid Chinese workers.

http://www2.china-sd.com/News/2008-12/5_2572.html

I still recall this priceless gem from The Korean Times back in February:

[riverboy]

The same thing happened to the paper mill in my hometown back in Canada. Except for the fact of course that the cpmpany was Finnish.

They bought the mill, took government subsidies and tax breaks. Then they shut the mill down and "disabled" the machine rendering it useless for s future reopening.

It happens everywhere and is not muttually exluded to the evil Koreans

[Hater Depot]

Whenever foreigners complain of being screwed by Koreans, they should remember that Koreans screw one another just as much if not more. For example, a Korean student of mine showed up to work at his factory one day only to find the owner had done a midnight run with all the cash. The 우리나라 stuff makes for great ramen commercials doesn't go very far when actual bank accounts are on the line.

[jvalmer]

I have a Chinese-American friend that used to work in China. Actually, he still does work in China. He had a nice job as a software engineer. Worked at some company for about a year and a half. Payday comes around, and he notices his wages weren't deposited into his account. He figured it was just a mistake and would discuss it with the finance guys at work after the weekend.

On Monday, he showed up to work, a bunch of people were just standing outside the entrance and looked angry. Turns out the place was emptied out and all the head-honchos were nowhere to be seen. They just took everything of value over the weekend and left. He didn't get paid for that last month of work.

I guess if foreigners pull off that stunt, some people will say oh those untrustworthy <insert-nationality>. In this case, the workers called them untrustworthy @ssholes.

[Bigfeet]

It's not just Koreans, Taiwanese are doing this too.

[VanIslander]

STICK IT TO THE MAN is an international bumper sticker. Who knew?

[ManintheMiddle]

Clarification:

I never meant to imply that Korean companies are unique in this regard; far from it as some posters have well noted. My point is that China is one of Korea's biggest trading partners and they seem to be shooting themselves in the proverbial foot by not regulating this from their end better. Once bitten, the Chinese aren't shy; they've instituted new regulations which should nip some of this bad faith dealing in the bud.

It is truly a downside of globalization, i.e., the lack of local accountability. I feel for any workers caught in these snares, but especially for Chinese workers who often have few, if any, other choices.

Hater Depot reminded:

[aarontendo]

I miss your old Hawaii 5 0 avatar.