Korean Job Discussion Forums

[philipjames]

Yesterday I was fired. I haven't a clue why. The hogwan owner aid "you're an excellent teacher, but you don't fit in here". I have worked there for six monthes. I was never given a copy of my contract, although I asked gor it at least ten times. The owner's English is passable, but whenever I ask for my contract he behaves like he's never heard an English word in his life.

He is the epitome of the corrupt Korean hogwan owner. He said on Thursday that Monday isd my last day. I know this is illegal, but he has the only copy of my contract and insists he lost it.

He's a lying bastard.

How do I punish such an individual. I am an excellent teacher and the children love me. I don't deserve such treatment.

I want to punish this man and damage his business. How do I do so legally.

All imiginative suggestions are welcome.

Thank you,

Patrick.

[The Den]

Hey I feel for you. Check out this link. This is where I would start.

http://efl-law.com/

Hang in there!!

[batman]

Your hogwan owner sounds like a friend of my last one.
What can you do?
Here are a couple more thoughts:
- Korean labour law states that you must be given one month's notice or, failing that, be give one month's wages in lieu of so if you have received neither than you may go to the Labour board with your grievance
- He states that you are an excellent teacher but...., than you may go to Immigration with you director and be released from your contract. This will free you up to find a new job.
(Also, a trip to both the tax and pension offices are always a good recomendation.)

And a couple of links:
http://www.moj.go.kr/immi/
http://pusanweb.com/fwr/

[Singer]

I don't mean to undermine any suggestions you've already received, however, as of last week there was a major change in immigration procedures concerning the release letter. Unless the hagwon proves that it cannot pay its foreign teacher a release letter will not be accepted at immigration. Only after serving 9 months will it be accepted.

The first step is to call your embassy to get the labour office's phone number or address. Then you must go to immigration to get a copy of your contract. When you received your E-2 and alien registration card, immigration set up a file that includes a signed copy of your contract. You may have to pay money to get it, but you must get it. You then take your grievance up with the labour office. If all that fails, you can call your embassy again and get the number for "the organization of aribration for foreign experts." This is the first legal step in closing down his hagwon. If no agreement can be made there, then your final step is a lawyer - if you can find one that won't cheat you, or throw the case because he's received a bribe.

I know how frusterating this is, as do many others. If you feel that it's just too much trouble to go through, then you could just leave the country, turn in your registration card when you leave, come back a couple days later and find a new hagwon to sponsor you, and re-do the visa. Immigration actually recommends that in situations like this.

Best of luck...for any further information, please contact me at [email protected]

[gajackson1]

I'm glad the others got on this quick. But I wish you had told us what province/city you are in, and the name of your school owner.

Also, I respect you a lot for wanting to go the legal route first.

OK, Ministry of Labor here in Korea www.molab.go.kr

Between your Embassy, immigration, and MoL, you should be able to get help right away. If the guy IS a lie & cheat, contact the tax office - I would bet he didn't list you/report you/pay taxes on your behalf.

And if you do NOT post the schools/diectors name, then you may be well setting someone else here for such a fall . . .

Good luck, and keep us posted

G.

[Singer]

Just a codicile to gajackson's note, he probably hasn't given you your tax return either...believe me...you are entitled.

[crusher_of_heads]

What is the name of this corrupt hagwon owner?

What is the name of this school? He must be stopped and realise that thieving behaviour is not acceptable in the civilised, first world country that is South Korea.

[I-am-me]

[R-Seoul]

[Rusty Shackleford]

I'm sure he has moved onto bigger and better things by now. It has been 5 years after all.

[R-Seoul]

Oh really, have I responded to a 6yr old thread? Guess I'm the sucker then.

[Special BK]

looks like

[Teelo]

[Big Mac]

Seriously, crusher of heads, why do you feel the need to go back in the archives so much?

[Straphanger]