Korean Job Discussion Forums

ppcg4 · Joined: 16 Oct 2008

I've been here for 3 months now, and my boss has been dragging his feet about getting me medical insurance.

I think I know why.

I don't pay pension, and neither does he. I told him that at my previous job, I had national medical insurance. He said he doesn't want to do that, but wouldn't give me a reason. He just said it's not illegal.

He's going to set me up with AIG I think. Apparently none of my coworkers have insurance either!

Has anyone dealt with a situation like this before? I'd MUCH prefer to have the national medical coverage because they take very little money from me, whereas private companies make me pay in full up front, then refund a portion.

Please help.

wenchstalker · Joined: 04 Jan 2009 Location: Gyeongju

If you're working on an E-2 visa, he's required to do pension and health insurance for you. If he's telling you otherwise, I'd be wary.

Most of my Korean coworkers lacked the health insurance, but for foreigners, I think providing it is mandatory. He pays half, you pay half.

I'm sure there's a thread on here about it somewhere...

ppcg4 · Joined: 16 Oct 2008

Yeah, I'm aware that he's breaking the law. He knows it too.

I don't really have the choice of being wary because I can't just leave my school. I do like my job, and I like where I'm living. Hell I just got settled.

The problem is that I don't think I'll be getting the health insurance I want until we start paying into the pension. And if we were to start paying into the pension, I'm sure he'd be audited and royally screwed. I just don't know what to do.

I get meds every month. The visit and the meds cost 80,000 won without insurance. With the insurance I had at my previous employer, it was only 16,000.

losing_touch · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Location: Ulsan - I think!

Well, the reason that he doesn't want to give you health insurance is simple. He doesn't want to pay for it. He wants to keep you off the radar. The Pension Office and National Health Insurance Folks talk to each other. If you get one, you are going to get the other.....

Kikomom · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 5:51 am Post subject:

Are they in your contract? Do you have an up-to-date ARC with this job on it?

Can you get an up-to-date ARC without first being enrolled in National Insurance? Or is the ARC required first to become enrolled in these plans?

losing_touch · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Location: Ulsan - I think!

polonius · Joined: 05 Jun 2004

You need to have an ARC to get the Nation Health plan

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

This will need to be verified, but here we go:

Were you hired as a full time teacher or as an independent contractor? I think they can still hire and provide an E2 but list you as an independent contractor. If they've done this, then they don't have to provide insurance or bennies.

If this is what your boss has done and you don't like it, give notice and walk if it is not changed.

ppcg4 · Joined: 16 Oct 2008

It's in my contract that I will be provided with 50/50 health insurance. I do have an ARC.

I asked him today if there's any possible way for me to get the national health insurance, and he said no. I asked why. He fidgeted. I asked if it's because I'm not paying pension. He said yes.

He's researching private insurance for me now. I just feel like reporting this dickhead, but he's overall a nice guy... I don't think anything would happen anyway.

ppcg4 · Joined: 16 Oct 2008

It's in my contract that I will be provided with 50/50 health insurance. I do have an ARC.

I asked him today if there's any possible way for me to get the national health insurance, and he said no. I asked why. He fidgeted. I asked if it's because I'm not paying pension. He said yes.

He's researching private insurance for me now. I just feel like reporting this dickhead, but he's overall a nice guy... I don't think anything would happen anyway.