Korean Job Discussion Forums

[maisonderik]

I am a former employee of WinEducation aka EdUp and I have contacted a lawyer who is going to rid the Korean Educational System of them. Unknown to most who have worked for them but what they do and how they operate is completely illegal. I have my own issues with them that are going to be brought to the Labor Board. However this case is significant in the fact that it will rid the system of them. They not only operate illegally within the Public School System. But they charge more than they should for an after school English class. This money is then pocketed into the Principal and CEO's wallets. So, this is a moral and ethical issue that is going to court and I would like to see if any of you whom have worked for them would be willing to provide testimony on your experience with them. Again there is no money to be made from this case. This is to rid the system of them and try to turn around the Korean Educational System. There are many other company's that operate like this one, in Korea. However, I just so happened to have worked for this one. So, please if you have a story or an experience with them you may e-mail me at [email protected] I look forward to hearing from some people.

[Yesterday]

I hate them also (worked for them previously)...

However - so many companies do the same business in Seoul (and 100,000won per month is not too expensive for the English classes)...

Yes - the school and principal and CEO is pocketing a lot of money - but it very hard to prove it...

The company has "purchased" a non-profit registration license - which means that they "act" as a non-profit company..

The only things I know that perhaps you can get them on is

(1) The two bank account system - having to open an IBK bank account and giving it to them- to receive your salary

and

(2) They recruit and interview and employ their own teachers - however they do not have a "recruiters registration/license" which you must have to recruit teachers...

However, as I said - its almost "not-illegal" as there are many companies doing it in Seoul- and the government doesn't seem to mind.

[maisonderik]

I appreciate your response and understand where you are coming from. However, the government does care about it and they are unaware most of the time as it is the school principal that makes the choice to use a company. There are many things that are illegal about this situation and that is why a lawyer from Seoul's largest law firm is taking this case on.

[roadwork]

I know of one teacher who was working for them at one of the most affluent schools in the Gangnam area. This teacher was so pissed about their treatment that he took a personal vendetta and reduced the enrollment to the point where the school was actually losing money with the program. Needless to say, he finished his contract and the school no longer used that company's services. Some days, this teacher would read the newspaper while the kids played "one-card-uh" and others this teacher would teach them about the best websites for free downloadable games.

[jdog2050]

[proustme]

[roadwork]

[Yesterday]

[maisonderik]

Please reply to my e-mail account and we can talk about the case. It is not all happening right now. It is in the works and I am looking for former employees to help out with testimonies. We can talk more about this once you make contact with me. Thanks for your help.

[roadwork]

[Ilsanman]

I had 2 interviews with them, but refused the job both times. I wish I could help, as after the 2nd time, I was fed up with their attitudes and the such.

The first time, they wouldn't give me a day off for when my daughter was going to be born. Unless I made it up on a Saturday.

I interviewed with Becks and some chick who looked like a dyke.

[Cheonmunka]

The Ministry of Ed. wrote about this about four years ago. It said they tolerated such 'agents' as at that time there were 'not many choices for English in public schools.'
Then Seoul Metro started their own business thing and hiring, Gepik got really active, too, so in actuality they became agents for putting teachers in schools. At the time I remember thinking of the government sponsored groups as monopolist.

However I understand the problems that individual teachers face with the after school program agents.
The after school people I reckon you might dig thru and get them on tax evasion, afterall, the ghost companies they use to enter agreements are not registered companies and the tuition fees do go to someone down the line. But that would imply tracing money - while the money goes to teachers directly, it is still possible to get the agent's details.
You need an actual test case, a teacher actually there ready with the books to be subpoenaed, ready with the names and paperwork trail.
That way there is a direct link to such hidden tax activities, and the culprit can be found.

Without an actual case I think you are arguing the right of principals to direct-hire teachers - which is where this loophole begins.
Perhaps it can be argued that they can hire teachers/program operators for singing, swimming et al as they do, but just not for English. Then that ain't good for me or you - I might have a really good program and want to work it, all above board, no graft involved ... but can't because of some law that marks English differently - I'd think that were discriminatory.
And I'd be pissed that Seoul Metro? Gepik, Epik would maintain the rights and monopoly of it. Afterall, they are themselves agents. They are the same thing, only they work under government sanction.

Anyway, if you can get the particular folk involved in graft I think that is a very, very good thing. Yet, I hope that if you make changes constitutionally those changes don't make private enterprise impossible.

[Yesterday]