Korean Job Discussion Forums

[justin moffatt]

I have posted numerous times on various threads regarding this issue. However, recently there seems to be a huge increase in agencies trying to prevent part time employees to sign contracts. There are obvious reasons for this:

a) They will not honor their agreement. Without legal written contract, you have no leg to stand on (i.e. payment, length of contract, etc.)

b) There is no actual job. Some recruiting agencies just want your CV to claim they have qualified instructors working there. They use these CV'S to bid for jobs with prospective companies (i.e. often competing with other agencies).

c) They can change the conditions of employment at their leisure. Start or end date, hourly rate, work location and.or conditions, etc.

d) No paper trail for tax purposes. They claim to take off taxes in order to pay the government, but often don't actually pay. No contract, no evidence.

e) Often small to mid size agencies will cancel their business registration and start up another (even under the same name!). Without a legal contract, it is more difficult to pursue the employer.

This is applicable for agencies that you may have a long standing relationship with, and claim that you have "already established that trust". Be diplomatic, but persistent. No contract or delay usually is a red flag.

Also carefully read the contract, don't be afraid to ask questions, and request changes. Their contract is often for the benefit of the employer, not you.

Good luck out there!

JM aka EFL Insider

[TheMeerkatLover]

There is already an organization in Korea that deals with these specific issues for F-visa holders.

www.afek.info

The site is closed only for F-visa holders and deals with issues for them. What you are saying on this forum has not only been addressed in AFEK, but to much greater detail and possible solutions to these problems by those who are actually living here.

Meerkat