Korean Job Discussion Forums

sparkplug · Joined: 21 Jan 2010

My hakwon story isn't as unfortunate as most peoples but I was still able to successfully get out of a bad situation and move to a new and better school.
Despite what I've read on Dave's ESL, I was able to switch schools even though I had only worked for 2 months.

Basically, my hakwon screwed me out of airfare and an apartment. There were several other conditions that made me want to leave but the airfare and apartment were the only contract violations.

I did my research on the Labor Standards Act and a few other laws regarding foreign labor (at the Korean Ministry of Justice website). I also contacted immigration and they kept informing me that I had to stay with my hakwon for 6 months before I could do anything. I was beginning to feel out of luck. I called the labor counseling service provided on the MOJ site and they advised I file a petition on e-people.
http://www.epeople.go.kr/jsp/user/on/eng/intro01.jsp
I filed the petition and then kind of forgot about it.

Then I decided to confront my boss about reimbursing me for airfare and several other issues. He informed me that I would not be reimbursed or given any resolve. He told me there was nothing I go do about it because the hakwon owner is so rich, well respected, and that there would be n way for me to quit without having to move back home.

A week later, my petition was processed. The Labor board called my school for a mandatory inspection meeting. I also found a job with a public school in the process that wanted to hire me ASAP. I served a resignation letter to my boss and he refused to give me a letter of release. So I told him that I would inform immigration that I quit so they would have to cancel my visa within 15 days. I also told him that if they cooperated then I would cancel the Labor Board meeting. He agreed and we went to immigration together and canceled my visa. I submitted a letter to immigration giving the reasons why I quit so that it would be on file.

Terrified, I went ahead with the visa run to Japan. I've called everyone and read every where that this can't be done without have working 6 months... but it appears it can. My visa was processed smoothly and I'm now in a MUCH better situation.

You don't have to deal with illegal bullsh*t. Korea has labor laws for foreigners for your protection. Use it! It's definitely stressful, but so worth it in the end. Staying with a corrupt business is doing them a favor. [/i]

Khenan · Joined: 25 Dec 2007

Good job and good luck with the new location.

the ireland · Joined: 11 May 2008 Location: korea

now take off back to your old school some weekend and punch him in his rich head Smile

Well done on getting out of there and into a better position! Did your public school pay for your visa run?

sparkplug · Joined: 21 Jan 2010

I think by leaving I left them in a crappy position. They were short staff. It's funny because It's going to cost them more to replace me than to have just reimbursed me what they owed me (I found them on my own without a recruiter so they didn't have to pay recruiting). I'm not going to complain though! I get off work at 4pm instead of 9pm and don't work weekends anymore!

I paid for my visa run but I'm getting an entrance allowance and settlement which covers both airfares. Plus I got to experience Japan for two days. All of the chaos paid off, I'm much better where I am now. I think It would be the same for anyone else who are having similar experiences.

Sector7G · Joined: 24 May 2008

wjf1 · Joined: 14 Apr 2010

Are you allowed to say which school it was? I'll be joining a school in the next few months and I'd hate to be your replacement.

afsjesse · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Location: Kickin' it in 'Kato town.

Great post!

I suspect that successtful completion of a new visa process would depend on the immigration official you'd be dealing with.

Good to know that some things may be changing. I'm book marking this thread just in case I have any future incidents.

Suerte,
J.

sparkplug · Joined: 21 Jan 2010

I don't know so much if it's the official you're talking to. I have a friend who went to immigration who speaks Korean. They got the same answer about the 6 month deal. I also called the Immigration service number where the advisors speak English. They are the ones that told me I could do the visa run. I just don't think Koreans at the Immigration office understand the visa run process. After all, they don't deal with the visa after it's been cancelled. They are only involved with visa transfers. The Consulate deals with the new visa issuing.

sparkplug · Joined: 21 Jan 2010

I won't say which school but it was in Gwangju, Jeollanamdo.

roknroll · Joined: 29 Dec 2007

gelynch52 · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Kim Deok Su · Joined: 24 Mar 2010

Hello,

I'm fairly new to the boards, but i have a question for people who have left their contracts before they were completed.

I'm am unhappy with my hagwon. The pay is poor, the hours are slowly killing me (I have to go to school three times a day over the course of 14 hours) and my apartment does not have air-conditioning. I realize many have had much worse, but I'm really unhappy with how the school is run. I don't think they are doing anything illegal, but my boss is definitely doing everything he can to squeeze blood from a stone from everyone.

I am wondering what protocol for leaving a job is. Can I get a visa transferred? Do I have to go to Japan? Do I have to pay my boss back for my plane ticket?

I would love to finish my contract, but I can feel my body falling apart and my students tell me I look tired every day. (I'm not going out and drinking every night. I'm in bed by 11pm su-th)

What can I do?

seonsengnimble · Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 6:48 am Post subject:

I think there is a little bit of a misunderstanding going on here. You can quit at any time. What you can't always do at any time is transfer your existing visa to a new employer. From your story, it sounds like you had your visa canceled, flew to Japan, and got a new visa. The 6 or 9 months has to do with changing employers, keeping the same visa and renewing it.

Sector7G · Joined: 24 May 2008

sparkplug · Joined: 21 Jan 2010

Well there is a bit of a misunderstanding because throughout my entire ordeal.. no one would clearly tell me I could just cancel my visa and do a run. So I just wanted to make it CLEAR that you can. haha.

For me, I had most of my documents prepared already, so acquiring new docs wasn't a hassle. I had photocopies of everything, had my references resign and date reference letters, submitted my original diploma (which was returned to me), and an extra set of transcripts. The Education Board was willing to wait for my CBC.
I also didn't have to pay anything back to my employer since they hadn't invested a dime into me. They had to pay me for the hours I worked.

So I suppose if you're simply unhappy with your job and they haven't done anything illegal... you can still find another one and give your current school a 30 days notice (my contract didn't specify a time requirement for a notice of resignation so I resigned a week before having my visa canceled.) It might also be good to submit a letter of resignation to your school and immigration so you can put into good words why you're leaving. I believe that the airfare does need to be paid back too. You will also have to cover your own airfare and accommodations to Japan for the visa run.

Kim: I don't think your job should feel like slave labor. There has to be a hidden issue in there somewhere... maybe you're working overtime? I would check with the Labor Standards Act just in case or you can call the labor advisors at 031-345-5000. But if you haven't worked 6 months then you cant get your visa transferred. You're going to need to find a good recruiter, write a letter of resignation, make sure your visa is canceled in good standing, and make a visa run to Japan.