Korean Job Discussion Forums

jhuntingtonus · Joined: 09 Dec 2008 Location: Jeonju

I work for a public school system. As is probably the case with many others, my contract calls for a 1.3 million won "Entrance Allowance / Exit Allowance." It is technically a loan, but is only repayable if I do not complete six months of service. I have over four months already and certainly plan to stay.

I have not yet received this payment. I mentioned it to my boss again today, and he said he thought it was only payable if I did not live in Korea when I signed the contract. I was in Korea already, but obviously still "entered" the country and in fact paid a lot for airfare. What do you think?

Thanks again in advance!

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

OculisOrbis · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

It's NOT a loan, but you would have to repay it if you left before completing six months of your contract. It doesnt matter if you were in Korea when you were hired. You should have received the 1.3 million at the beginning of your contract.

It was meant to reduce the hassle and firm the budget for the administrators rather than guessing all the varying costs for airfares. Everyone now receives the travel allowance money instead of the actual cost of the airfare. For some, they have some extra money in the pocket. For others, it isn't quite enough - but the budget is more solid.

Previously, you would have received 500 000 in lieu of airfare for being an in-country hire. Now, everyone who signs on at a public school receives the 1.3 million travel allowance - regardless of where you were when they hired you. Get your money.

If you re-sign for another year at the end of this contract, you will receive a 2.0 million travel allowance when you return to start your second contract term. If you choose to leave after this contract and not return to your school, you will receive another 1.3 million - to spend as you please whether you leave korea or not.

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

I got a return airfare for my second contract so that should be replaced with the 1300000. So your boss is screwing you over. It is a straight out payment now for signing a contract.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 1:13 pm Post subject:

READ YOUR CONTRACT! Wink

To paraphrase, in my province, the EPIK contract states the 1.3 mil. Entrance Allowance is a loan to be immediately payed back in the case of termination (of the contract) within six months regardless of course or ground therefore.

It also goes on to state a bunch of meaningless BS with regard to Immigration and my ability to freely enter the ROK in future. Rolling Eyes

TheUrbanMyth is wrong, OculisOrbis is (mostly) right. Your school owes you W1,300,000. Collect. Cool

E_athlete · Joined: 09 Jun 2009 Location: Korea sparkling

UrbanMyth never gets tired of being wrong. I guess this being the internet and all it's not all too embarrassing.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

cruisemonkey · Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 6:16 pm Post subject:

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

OculisOrbis · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

as you said, there is the standard epik contract and each provincial office can make their own modifications to the original to suit their needs.

i was at the teachers meeting in 2008 for chungnam when they presented and discussed the changes for the proposed 2009 contracts. apparently they did not remove the in-country hire clause, even though they said that all travel reimbursements would fall under the umbrella of the 1.3 mil allowance.

not hard to work around. just present them with your winter/summer vacation return ticket from before you started work. the difference of 800 000 would finance a well deserved trip to a sunny vacation spot.

Looney · Joined: 23 Dec 2008

MattAwesome · Joined: 30 Jun 2008

was this only for out of pocket expenses? what about the better method of making the reservation only, emailing the recruiter and getting the e-ticket when it was purchased? did that go away?

jhuntingtonus · Joined: 09 Dec 2008 Location: Jeonju

You have helped me a great deal! I now perceive that EVERYONE who responded thinks I should get at least some money. The contract doesn't mention anything about 500,000, or any restrictions on where I am when I sign it, or anything else. I could offer them reimbursement for some plane ticket, but that isn't in the contract either, and was months ago. And one thing - if the 1.3 million clause did not apply, shouldn't they have said so at signing time, and crossed it out, with both sides initialling it?

This week my boss is checking with his management (the city education office), and we will talk about it tomorrow. I hope it will be a peaceful resolution consistent with the terms of the contract we both signed so amicably.

Jim, the OP