Korean Job Discussion Forums

[alphalfa]

hi,

Searching for the truth about whether those of us with E2 visas must pay unemployment insurance once a year remains elusive. From what I've read on this job-related discussion board, some of you say ..

"If you're on an E-2 visa, they shouldn't be deducting unemployment insurance premiums - you can never collect benefits. Get your money back!" -- cruisemonkey---
__________________________________________________________

"It's a mistake!

First I talked to my ct. Who talked to admin. Who swore up and down they did the right thing and followed the instructions of some GET manual.

But I sent an email to the EPIK coordinator anyways.

The EPIK coordinator for Busan said it IS a mistake, called my school, and I should be getting a refund. --rayjoy---


Here in Incheon, I spoke to the IMOE coordinator [Sarah] last Friday by phone. I informed her that unemployment insurance was taken out of my April pay -two deductions totalling @228,000. I asked her if those of us with E2 visas pay unemployment insurance. She responded by telling me
"the school made a mistake'. I sent her an email..[see below]

EMAIL CONTENT:

INQUIRY

Following my re-signing to stay at my current public school
in March 2009 for another contract year, the following two items
고용보험료 고용보험료
2008년 amount 2009년 amount
확정분 deducted 개산금 deducted
(1년 1회납부) 102,830won (1년 1회 납부) 126,540won

Both were deducted from my salary on 2009.03.25.
Both these two items are unemployment insurance premiums.
Now, from what I know and understand E-2 visa holders do not qualify for unemployment insurance and thus are not entitled to receive unemployment insurance.

QUESTION:

Is it correct that all those in possession of an E-2 visa
working for IMOE at public schools have this item deducted
[once a year] from their yearly salary?
** In reply to this inquiry, a YES/NO answer will be sufficient.

HER REPLY TO MY EMAIL INQUIRY------
------> About your unemployment insurance, if you want to join that you can but if you don't want to do that then it's fine. And paying this insurance once a year is cheaper than paying it every month.

**I sent the same inquiry to her supervisor at IMOE but this time I used a different email address.
email to [email protected] . Her name is Gu,Young-Sun.
She is a supervisor for the native teachers in our office.

I'm waiting to hear from her on what she has to say on this issue.

So there you have it - the coordinator[Sarah] contradicted herself on this issue and her supervisor has yet to send a reply to me.

T.I.C.K.E.D. Teaching In Corrupt Korea Every Day ARRGGGHH!

[cruisemonkey]

Write back to Sarah... tell her you chose not to pay UI premiums and ask her to direct your school's financial officer to refund your money.