Korean Job Discussion Forums

Homer · Guest

Yu_Bum_suk,

As the OP worked there illegaly himself how sure are you that if the school names him as a former illegal employee (i.e. entering the country without a valid working visa and having worked) that he will get immunity?

That is a serious consideration before pulling a blackmail ploy don't you think?

Also, if there are other teachers there now working illegaly, they will get busted at the same time (don't know if that is a good or bad thing yet).

What if the school is well connected, he pulls his gimme my cash or else song and dance, they grease immigrations palm and he is left there having tried (unsucessfully) to pin them with the law?

Finally, has the OP explored his legal recourses?

He would of course have to prove he did not know he was working illegally (i.e. they lied to him by not providing a visa). Then, the Labor Board might me of some help with hi recovering some money. Then again, if he was working illegally, this might all be a moot point.

plato's republic · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Location: Ancient Greece

Bust 'em!

Homer · Guest

Rumandcoke,

Before you get all excited about some imminent bust of a school by the OP...perhaps you should have read this from the OP:

pegpig · Joined: 10 May 2005

You worked there for 3 weeks. That's 1.5 mill. They're going to subtract your airfare. If you're lucky, they owe you about 500 k. In korea, I don't know if a fight is worth 500 k if you've been working illegally. In Canada, it's a different story. I once took some scumbag employer to the labour board for about 50 bucks. I also went to landlord/tenant affairs over a $40 or so water bill deduction from my ex-landlady/bitch/warden's returned security deposit and won many moons ago. But, here you get the support from the gov't agencies that you wouldn't get in Korea. And, you worked illegally.

Immigration/ministry of education are more concerned with those illegal whiteys than they are with the school. Look at this school I used to work for:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=25595&highlight=hamilton

They may still be in business. An absolute nightmare.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Homer · Guest

Yu_Bum_suk,

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

Well...

I changed job after my first 2 years here because my hagwon was closing. At the recomendation of some friends who had just finished their contract at a university, I decided to submit my application after much hesitation. I showed up one Tuesday afternoon and it just happened they were doing the interviews that day. Had I shown up a day later, I probably wouldn't have gotten a job. In any case, the university wasted a couple of weeks getting the paperwork done, so I left the country to Japan 10 days after my visa was done. But, I was told at the airport I would have to pay a fine upon my return. I was looking at 100000 won per day, but in the end Immigration were understanding and fined me 200000 won. That was 7 years ago and I'm still at the same university. As a matter of fact, I have since been granted tenure.

Homer · Guest

UncleAlex · Joined: 04 Apr 2003

I suppose one can put the incident behind him and "learn from the experience".
But by letting the employer off this time there's a good chance she will pull the
same stunt on another unsuspecting victim. And I doubt by stepping forward
the authorities would deport you, since you would be acting honestly by doing so.
It's obvious you had no control of the situation, being invited here only to be left
suspended so far away from home. Be morally courageous and kick butt! Cool

Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

I agree you have to becareful in terms of screwing your school. Certainly putting yourself in jepordy is not a good idea.

I do agree with Yu_Bum_Suk if you have a good enough reason, why not. These people will do it to you. In fact, I'm in a situation where essentially I'm being forced to quit. Sure some smart*** will step in and say how can the "force" you to quit. The story is quiet complex and I won't post it on here.

Now, I was fortunate enough to stall them long enough to find another job and take care of things in terms of immigration.

That doesn't mean I'm going to show the school any mercy.

I happen to know of something going on illegal in terms of privates and I've thought long and hard about whether I'd do it. Now, if I did it (and I'm not going to say whether I am or not) I am smart enough to wait until I've left and recieved my final check.

kermo · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 2:12 am Post subject:

One thing I've learned about negotiating in Korea is that hostages and bribes are usually part of the landscape. My hagwon does it all the time, i.e., "You can only have a release letter if you give us enough money to pay for your leftover bills," even after I've happily agreed to give them some extra cash for bills. Why insult me with a threat? I dunno, but it seems to be par for the course. Your school might not be as offended or creeped out as you imagine if that's their usual style.