Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dbee]

Hi everyone,

I got an email to-day from someone who could use a bit of advice (he'll try to join himself later, but for now he asked me to post for him (given the urgency of the situation). I thought maybe someone out there could help

[I_Am_Wrong]

oh man...and I thought that my prior situation was fucked...

-mine's all better now but I've talked to lots of people about this kind of situation and it is highly doubtful that a director will fill out the necessary paperwork and pay the fees required. Your E-2 only allows you to work at one location and any other location after that requires immigration approval and a fee of some thing like 100-200 thousand won.

-First thing the person should probably due is bring it up politely with the director and explain the situation, however, if it's being done illegally then the director will just lie about it thinking that you don't know the laws. The ARC card should be stamped if it's is done legally so the easiest thing to do would be to tell the director that you're going to immigration (with an interpreter not related to the school...find a Korean friend) to ask them. If it's being done illegally then watch him squirm.

-Also, your friend had to pay a recruiter fee out of his/her own pocket? What's going on here? Is your friend teaching with a fake degree or something?

[fandeath]

Who pays for a recruiter?

I heard that some university recruiters require a fee, but I never heard of a hagwon recruiter asking for money. It seems the recruiter is probably going to get paid twice (from you and the school).

Yes, I agree. I think you will have all the schools on your ARC. If they are not, then they are illegal.

besides the school problem, how are the jobs? Are they good jobs? Does your friend get paid well for this 'unique' situation?

Your friend has a right to request to work at only one school. It seems people are taking advantage of him. It is time for him to be firm or it will continue.

Good luck

[dbee]

as per recruiter http://www.eslopportunities.com/process.htm

apparently they are pretty big in Ireland (where I'm from too). They're on monster.ie, all the university career sites and on most of the broadsheets (no special deals or extenuating circumstances!) they send over 20 teachers a month (and are expanding into china !).

the deal is this, if you want a placement and a tefl course, pay 445 euros
if you just want the placement, pay 200 euros (276,000 won) ... ouch!!! You then get handed over to something called business esl in Seoul.
as per website,

for Free Pick Up: read 'bus ticket to Daegu'
for On-Going Support: read 'contact telephone number'

I can't help wonder at their audacity though, read the part about

[I_Am_Wrong]

yeah....that's a scam.

[dubbish]

Hey everyone, i'm new to this board (first post). I was scheduled to have an interview with these people in Dublin on Saturday but i think i'm going to give it a miss. It s hard to see what the 200euro "placement fee" actually gets you beyond a lift from the airport and dodgy "support" in korea. Has anyone from ireland used this company? Are you happy with their service? They seem to have loads of testimonials on their website from happy teachers but i don't know how reliable these are.

Ta in advance for any info

[Derrek]

FACT:

Working at any school other than that stated on your E-2 or Alien Registration card (same school is on both) is 100% totally ILLEGAL no matter what your Korean school manager/owner tells you.

Absolutely illegal.

If you are caught, you will be fined and possibly deported.

The only way you can legally work at more than one location is if your employer gets it OK'd by immigration. I'm telling you now that in most circumstances, it's no cakewalk to get such done, and in EVERY SINGLE CIRCUMSTANCE it MUST be noted on the back of your Alien Registration card by immigration!

If you are working for any school at more than one location, and you don't have it ok'd by immigration AND marked on your ARC, you are doing something ILLEGAL. If a Korean tells you otherwise, he is lying or misinformed.

I've been in Korea for nearly 3 years, was fined, and nearly got deported myself. Trust me.

[sadsac]

Good information from everyone. Immigration must be informed. If you are found teaching at another school, immigration won't care that your director arranged it, you are the one who will be in trouble. You need to cover your own butt.

[dubbish]

Thanks for the clarification, you'd think for all their interviews and placement fees they'd at least get you a reliable school. I know they'd argue that once you're in korea your contract with them ends but it sounds a bit dodgy all the same..
Think i'll give them a miss

[mattjw1978]

My Hagwon is trying to get me to do favors for other schools and after reading this Im thinking no freaking way. Where can I get up-to-date info on this topic?

[MacLean]

Isn't it funny that Korean employers can break the law with immunity, yet all the media coverage is about foreigners allegedly breaking law? : Doubt we'll ever see a SBS expose on corrupt hogwan owners.

[ttompatz]