Korean Job Discussion Forums

map23 · Joined: 24 Sep 2012

I had a nightmare experience with a hagwon in the Anyang area.

These are just a few of the bigger problems, I could write a 10000 word document listing the rest!

For starters the contract was for 30 hours per week and they demanded from the beginning 45 hours per week. Of course I would only get paid for 30.

Next was the apartment arangement. I had a verbal agreement that I would choose my own apartment from a real estate rental list.
When I arrived (this was my second contract in South Korea, I had completed a contract in Downtown Seoul in January and had a great time, no problems at all) my apartment had been already sorted out apparently. Hmmm, low and behold I was housed in a shit hole directly above a Diaso store with loud store music playing 12 + hours a day! I couldn't relax im my lodgings until after 10pm every night and my girlfriend hated staying over.

The last major issue (a blessing in disguise) was the owners failure to sponsor my E2 visa. As soon as I found out from immigration that the separation�certificate time frame had lapsed without due sponsorship I bailed (after advice from friends in the know and authorities). I went straight to immigration and got a D10 visa in the nick of time.

Thankfully I now have a proper job back in Seoul however it starts in May and I need to pay rent and eat in the meantime. This asswipe owner in Anyang owes me 2 weeks wages and now I am facing the prospect of borrowing money from friends and family to make ends meet.

Im pursuing my money and a few people have suggested I take the matter to the labour board.

I wanted to know if anyone has had similar problems and how they dealt with them. I am just not sure where I stand legally, since technically the contract was not valid without sponsorship, also i have doubts whether or not it's worthwhile chasing a debt here when it could end up being more trouble and cost. I mean it's my money rightfully but I have better things to do than deal with scum.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

IF they were not your sponsor on an E2 OR they were not authorized as an additional place of employment on your E2 then you can pretty much kiss it (the unpaid wages) goodbye.

Filing a claim with the labor office is winable but the potential problems (and potential fine) for working illegally outweigh the loss.

.

YTMND · Joined: 16 Jan 2012 Location: You're the man now dog!!

map23 · Joined: 24 Sep 2012

I realise It's ultimately my responsibility when I signed the contract and yea it pisses me off but tough love is right. I worked 9 days at this place before it was painfully clear what sort of position i was in (one with me bent over hahah) and told em to get fdk. . Oh btw I have had the ass hanging outa my pants before with nowhere to go. That doesn't worry me so much its just a May start for my new job which has really put the pressure on.

I WAS UNAWARE I WAS WORKING WITHOUT SPONSORSHIP UNTIL I CHECKED WITH 1245 HOTLINE.

FOR ALL INTENSIVE PURPOSES I HAD EVERYTHING IN WRITING EXEPT THE ACCOMODATION. MY BAD.

E2 visa 1 job. This was my 1 and only job. It wasn't a second job.
The agreement was that he sponsor me. He had the separation certificate and him and his wife whom both run the place seemed like straight shooters at the start. It me took over a week before I really had that feeling of doom that I had made a big mistake. Im glad this shit only lasted 9 days before I left.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

YTMND · Joined: 16 Jan 2012 Location: You're the man now dog!!

Kepler · Joined: 24 Sep 2007

It is your responsibility to take your your new contract to immigration and have them print new information on the back of your alien registration card if you want to change sponsors. You have no excuse for not knowing that you were working illegally.

map23 · Joined: 24 Sep 2012

My understanding is that the separation certificate is valid for a certain amount of time. Legally you can commence work for a new employer whilst still on the certificate then sponsorship must be undertaken before the certificate expires. I rang immigration the afternoon of the final day on my certificate. No sponsorship had been executed on my arc. The next day I freely transferred myself onto a d10.

Im seeking legal and visa advice from some experts b4 I take any action.

If it's not worth it it's not worth it. It's beginning to seem like a write off. *beep* we need a union! !

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

map23 · Joined: 24 Sep 2012

I know unionism for us is a pipe dream. Back home in Australia I'm a Scaffolder by trade and a proud union member and supporter.Employers here would shit a brick if confronted by an angry yet organised mob of people like me.

I have talked with other foreign devils and Korean friends about this and the fact is the dodgy employers here in Korea know full well that they can get away with things like not paying wages and making unreasonable demands because they have the balance of power and the system is set up in their favour. The chances of them getting bitten on the ass by one of us taking successful action against them is slim so these problems occur again and again. Nothing new, same�old. History will repeat, I won't be the last sucker.

I spoke with a good friend of mine today who is Canadian. He's been here over 14 years and is now an English Professor. He said cut your losses and walk away cause the odds are you will waste more time and money chasing this dickhead for cash owed with no guarantee of the wages ever being paid.(the hagwon owner is a consistent and I'd say pathological liar. He would likely make up a bunch of bullshit to avoid coughing up coin.)

So i respect the professor's opinion since he's had 2 similar experiences back in the day. (and generally professors are not dumb c☆nts).

I'm taking his advice. Let's just hope karma sorts out the assclown of Anyang.

YTMND · Joined: 16 Jan 2012 Location: You're the man now dog!!

map23 · Joined: 24 Sep 2012

YTMND you are a pest Bugger off. You obviously don't have a clue how this system works. Your opinions are worthless and nonsensical. Im not even gonna bother correcting a retard such as yourself. Piss off

YTMND · Joined: 16 Jan 2012 Location: You're the man now dog!!

map23 · Joined: 24 Sep 2012

Ok sorry YTMND dude im just not in a great mood lately. .no excuse for me being a rude punk. ..

Anyways its the bizarre Korean method of transferring visa sponsorship is all. The D10 is relativey new and a big win for us alien beings.

The separation certificate or transfer letter or whatever the fu☆k they call it is very rigid. Think of a boss in a private company having Imigration official type powers with a little rubber stamp and a red ink pad to boot. Ok I'm exaggerating but It's like a letter that your previous slave master writes so you can be traded to the next horribly cruel mofo. If you let this letter go into expiry then you will be exciled . hahaha.

You must educate yourself if u intend to work in a place like sk. They are very anal about their bureaucratic procedures, much more so than the west, and it seems visa and alien laws change regularly.

Im a victim of my own ignorance in more ways than one concerning contract law here. Some of the laws are downright fkn stupid but hey us westies have no say about that.

Don't get me wrong, I love it here but it's not the easiest place to live and work. The majority of employers are fair however like any industry anywhere in the world there's a bunch of cowboys out there.
It is not like back west where we have things like workplace laws we understand and can protect us to a degree. The language barrier is one thing and shit gets literally lost in translation. There are workplace protections here for foreign workers its just that they are not so easy to get ones head around unless you have a really good Korean friend who has knowledge of what the rules are.

Korea is an awesome place full of opportunity just remember to do your homework and keep updated on the red tape.

map23 · Joined: 24 Sep 2012

Ok sorry dude im just not in a great mood lately. .no excuse for me being a rude punk. ..

Anyways its the bizarre Korean method of transferring visa sponsorship is all. The D10 is relativey new.

The separation certificate or transfer letter or whatever the fu☆k they call it is very rigid. It's like a letter that your previous slave master writes so you can be traded to the next horribly cruel mofo. If you let this letter go into expiry then you will be exciled. hahaha.

You must educate yourself if u intend to work in a place like sk. They are very anal about the bureaucratic procedures, much more so than the west, and it seems visa and alien laws change regularly.

Im a victim of my own ignorance in more ways than one concerning contract law here. Some of the laws are downright fkn stupid but hey us westies have no say about that.