Korean Job Discussion Forums

SharkDiver · Joined: 08 Nov 2008

Does anyone know where to find the clause in the Korean Labor Act that states it's illegal for an employer to deduct money (as a security deposit) from an employee's pay?

Cerriowen · Joined: 03 Jun 2006 Location: Pocheon

security deposit? For housing? That's standard for GEPIK.

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China

That's right for the first 3 months. So, make sure they stop taking money out your 4 month. If they deduct a monthly fee of about 30,000 won for apartment costs, get it noted in your pay slip.

Chamchiman · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Location: Digging the Grave

blonde researcher · Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 2:10 am Post subject:

If you sign a contract agreeing to have a deduction taken for what ever reason then it becomes legal under the law.
There is no specific law saying this cannot happen, so if an employer puts it in writing in a contract and will only employ someone who agrees to this, he is not breaking the law.
If the teacher refuses to sign then he has the right to not take the job.

A security deposit or housing deposit is now commonplace in public schools and in franchise schools like ECC.
Usually between 500 000- 900 000. GEPIK has 900 000 bond

You only have a real problem if the employer takes the money from your account and nothing is written in your contract about it - then it is illegal deduction.

Ut videam · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Location: Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do

yeremy · Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 9:47 pm Post subject: Re: Security Deposits

The whole issue is moot if you get or have your own housing.

I was in GEPIK for three years and I did not have a security deposit deducted from my salary. The first year, I had my own housing for which I paid the deposit with my own money, and I took the housing allowance. The second and third years, my former school took over the lease on my apartment and paid the deposit but, apparently, they did not think I was a risk, so they didn't bother. I'd been married for ten years to a Korean woman at that time, which I think also helped my case, too.

I suggest you go and talk to your school and see whether or not if they can waive it for you.

However, I am not a lawyer nor a even a jailhouse lawyer of any sorts. If any of you know better than I, thank you for the update and correction. cheers.