Korean Job Discussion Forums

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Imagine how much shock and dismay there would be if this were something we could join, and suddenly did it overnight.

http://english.yna.co.kr/Engnews/20050425/410100000020050425105029E6.html

I_Am_Wrong · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: whatever

I doubt it... most of us are in positions that these workers seriously only dream about

Seriously, I know a girl who is majoring in Korean for foreignors and she teaches DDD workers Korean. The first phrases she has to teach them are "Please don't beat me" and "Please, can I have my wages." Confused

Homer · Guest

Sorry Derrek but by comparison we are living on the gravy train.

These guys really need that union.

chronicpride · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

It is true the DDD workers need the protection even more than ESLers do, it might help them to have members from Western nations--more numbers, more money and whatever attention Western governments give to working conditions in foreign countries. The Korean government might pay more attention to complaints from Western countries than it does to the government of the Phillipines.

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

Are foreign English teachers working in other countries (Japan, Taiwan, China, Thailand, etc.) members of legally recognised labour unions?

I don't know the answer, but I'm guessing not. And I'm also guessing that South Korea isn't going to be leading the way on this.

As for Western governments bending the ear of the Korean government, they tend to "speak" through their representation in the country, meaning their embassies. And according to posts I've read recently, Western embassies are becoming more adamant about their refusal to get involved with problems relating to bad schools, contract violations, severance pay issues, etc. No?

I_Am_Wrong · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: whatever

I can see Derrek going there with his complaint, "they're forcing me to go on a trip to Jeju-do and they're going to make me drink soju!!!"

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

Our situations may be light years better than the 3D workers, but that doesn't mean we don't have any reason to organize either.

Having said that, I'd always heard it was illegal for foreign workers in Korea to organize. I definitely want to see how this plays out.

redbird · Joined: 07 Mar 2005

Zyzyfer · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 5:52 am Post subject:

Yea, could give some promising results that one.

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Saxiif · Joined: 15 May 2003 Location: Seongnam

Labor unions don't work well in industries with high turnover and small numbers of workers in each workplace. Its too hard to form a union when you get the kind of insane turnover that you get in most hagwons and it'd be a bit silly to try to collectively bargain if there's only a foreign worker or two (as there are in many many hagwons).