Korean Job Discussion Forums

jhuntingtonus · Joined: 09 Dec 2008 Location: Jeonju

I am a public school teacher. I signed what I think is the standard contract in April, which represented that I would receive a 1.3 million won entrance allowance. My management denied it to me, saying that since I had been in Korea before the contract was signed it didn't apply, but said they would ask their management anyway. I posted the question of whether I was entitled to it on this forum, and received five opinions, all agreeing I should receive it.

Since then, my management has told me that they asked and it was denied. Accordingly I want to contest that decision, as in addition to the forum responses I think the contract's language is clear.

What is the process? Is there a nationwide labor board or some such to whom I can take my case? How can I proceed from here?

Thanks again in advance!

vonnegutjr · Joined: 24 Mar 2009

Too lazy to search for your old thread.

Where are you? Don't you have a foreign co-ordinator.

Did you mention the labor board to these people. That usually does it.

There is a labor board somewhere near you. It depends on the area you are in.

In Daegu there is a provincial office of education that has a co-ordinator and our labor board is here in town.

jhuntingtonus · Joined: 09 Dec 2008 Location: Jeonju

My old post is "Restrictions on 1.3 million won Entrance / Exit Allowance?," a few pages back. I don't know what a foreign coordinator is, and I did mention the labor board - had no effect. I wonder, are these labor boards the same all across the country? Is it possible that the norm in one area would not be the same as in others?

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

jhuntingtonus · Joined: 09 Dec 2008 Location: Jeonju

Verbatim from my contract:

"Article 11 (Entrance Allowance/Exit Allowance) 1) The entrance allowance of 1,300,000 Korean Won (KRW) shall be loaned to support Employee's entrance to Korea... In case of the termination of this Contract within six (6) months, including renewals, regardless of course or ground therefore, Employee shall immediately pay back Employer the above mentioned loan. If Employee works more than six (6) months during the term of employment from the date of commencement, Employee's obligation to pay back the loan provided pursuant to the provision shall be waived by Employer."

Missihippi · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Location: Gwangmyeong

is this seperate from airfare? I've never heard of this..

jhuntingtonus · Joined: 09 Dec 2008 Location: Jeonju

The contract makes no other references to airfare.

Rusty Shackleford · Joined: 08 May 2008

warmachinenkorea · Joined: 12 Oct 2008

In the new EPIK contracts newbies get 1.3 for entrance. No airfare. You use the 1.3 to pay for your ticket. When you leave you get another 1.3 for that ticket. If you resign you get 2 million to cover your tickect home or where ever or just pocket it. If your ticket is over 1.3 you gotta cover the rest. I think this is in response to the problem they had this time last year. Many of the new EPIK teachers lost money because the exchange rate started to tank around the time they where giving out reimbursments.
They had alot of grumbling from the teachers.

Kurtz · Joined: 05 Jan 2007 Location: ples bilong me

Yes the 1.3 mill is the one-way airfare, they just re-named it entrance allowance.

I guess they don't want to pay you 1.3 mill to fly you to Korea when you are already here.

Big Mac · Joined: 17 Sep 2005

I didn't go home at the end of my contract and they gave me the new 1.3 million allowance plus another 700,000 Won to cover what would have been a return ticket. It shouldn't matter whether you buy a ticket with the money or not. You are still entitled to it.

vonnegutjr · Joined: 24 Mar 2009

I got 1.3 and I was already here when I switched to EPIK. Each school interpets differently. But I think you should get it. Maybe if you let people know where you are (perhaps the general area of the country) someone could help you out with co-ordinators or labor boards.

cincynate · Joined: 07 Jul 2009 Location: Jeju-do, South Korea

the 1.3 million replaces the flight reimbursement. However, the contract states that you should receive a 2 000 000 signing bonus if you resign. Did you get that? They have to give you one of the two. Either you get the 2 mil or the 1.3 mil. Demand it

Proustian · Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Location: penniless in Pusan

I feel for you.
Either your school is completely ignorant of the meaning of the clause or they are choosing to withhold the money.

There is no doubt that you are owed the money. Every website recruiting for EPIK, even EPIK's own site, make mention of it. Some recruiters even go so far as to state that the money is paid regardless of whether you flew in or not.

You need to find a face saving resolution.

Do you know any other teachers at nearby EPIK schools? Perhaps they know a Korean co-teacher that can intercede on your behalf?

Was there not an English speaking teachers rep at the EPIK orientation? When I was at GEPIK the teachers rep dealt with all the complaints and problems. Surely there must be someone at EPIK that you can speak to so that can inform the school that they are in the wrong.

Good luck

jhuntingtonus · Joined: 09 Dec 2008 Location: Jeonju

Thank you all for your help!

I attended a one-day orientation, in English - I will look over the materials so see if I have a teacher's rep or something like that. One of my co-teachers might help also - he is just about fluent in English, and likes me. I will also search the EPIK websites and see what they have.

As for the labor board, how do I find and contact them?

Jim, the OP