Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Unreal]

I just arrived late Friday night (for my 3rd contract) and found out through my mother-in-law that my school (in Gunsan) has no place for me to stay. Four months ago when we spoke to the provincial official in charge of recruiting foreigners, we were told that we would have a large apartment. Since then he hasn't communicated with us at all except for asking us to send our documents (which he already had from our first meeting) and business related to our visa. He knows we need an apartment big enough for two people but it wasn't until we arrived in Korea that we heard (through a third party) that the school would only provide an apartment (and furniture) big enough for one person.

Apparently the school board doesn't have enough money for us so here are the options he has proposed: 1) We find a place on our own, providing our own key money (about 3,000,000 won for 9 pyoung), and the school will provide 300,000 won a month for rent 2) We can stay at a place one of our friends has across town and that friend will take the 300,000 won per month but I would have to commute 45 minutes each way or 3) We can stay in the dormitory at the school with all the high school students.

I spoke to one of the teachers at the school last time and he told me that he had a large apartment. From what I gather, the school has its own apartment complex or an agreement with one and all of the teachers stay there. There was a space available there last September and there will be this September but until then, w'ere left on our own.

I think all of the options laid out for us are garbage and we should just walk away. I will see the education official tomorrow to get the news from the source itself so hopefully then I'll know more. Basically it sounds to me like the official and the principal each thought housing was the responsibility of the other so nobody has done anything but instead of an apology and action we're getting excuses and are expected to find our own housing.

I've worked for 2 hagwons before and had great experiences. It's only now with a public school that I'm having problems.

Anyway, given my options, I'm wondering what other teachers would do in this situation.

[PRagic]

I had a couple of friends with a similar problem years ago. They were stuck first without a place, and then, almost worse, in a flea infested hole next to a railroad track.

They resolved the situation VERY quickly. They simply didn't go to work! Yup, when the boss called, they said that they would work if and when the school provided what they promised in the contract. It took almost a week, and they never did get very popular with the managment, but they did get their place. You have to not care what they say, and you have to be prepared to stick to your guns.

It's amazing how fast things can move once they don't have a their employees show up, and they know they are to blame.

Good luck!

[laconic2]

[thursdays child]

Hang in there a while. Be difficult. Find out who is who.... Help them out.

I work in public school and have just signed on for a 2nd year and have a great apartment.... but a week after re-signing was told i would be changed apts. They showed my 'new' place.... and it was a small little dingy hole.

Anyway, I wasn't going to accept a demotion. The school said the govt had dramitically decreased the housing allowance this year. But a contract is a contract (I said).... So, first I was difficult and made it clear I was NOT HAPPY. Then I 'be-chingued' the school accountant and found the real deal - the govt had 'advised' schools to save money on housing allowance. Then I told my case to someone who knows someone important (the true Korean way). Then I went to a ��� and got a list of places and prices.

With a phone call from a bigger suit and my list of places ..... it's all working it self out.

Good luck - make it clear to them that you're not a newbie and that you know your rights

[Ya-ta Boy]

Pretty crappy situation, but from the sounds of it it was not a deliberate screw up. Somebody dropped the ball and is no doubt feeling stupid.

IMO, the best option is #1 IF you have the key money. The good things about this option are a) you get to choose location and quality; and b) if things go down river at work anytime, you can resign and still have a home while you look around for a new job. A certain security in that. (This is what I do.)

If you've been here for two contracts, you should know enough about the local culture to know they are embarrassed and losing face. Yes, you can be confrontational and not go to work on Monday, but as the poster said, it will sour future relationships. Not a good thing at any time, but especially not when starting a new job.

I would agree that you have to stand up for yourself when the boss deliberately tries to screw you, like adding extra classes and the like. This situation does not look like that to me.

If key money is not available, I'd go with Option #2. 45 minutes is a drag, but it isn't terrible. You could use the time for something like lesson planning or studying Korean.

[Unreal]

Thanks for all the advice. An interesting twist in this whole episode is the fact that I have not yet signed a contract. We agreed verbally and they even somehow were able to get my E-2 without my signing a contract. I have to go in and sign it this week. Without my signature, I don't see how they have anything to bargain with at this point...of course neither do I but I don't see what can stop me from walking away and working elsewhere.

The promise of a large apartment was one of the key selling points of this job as Gunsan is not really a desireable destination (I taught here before) and the pay is unspectacular.

[SHANE02]

It sounds like the usual Korean thing of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing.

I dont know how they got you the E2 with no contract. But it would have been better to have a contract with no E-2 actually. I think since they have you on "their" E-2 then it will be alot tougher for you to get out of.

But stick to your guns and get what was promised.

One question, if you put down the key money will they furnish your appt?

Good luck with it and I hope it works out well for you.

[PRagic]

Run, don't walk, away from that job. If it's that bad now, it'll only get worse. Don't tie up your own money, and don't settle. Period. You can do better. The substandard places here continue to be substandard because there is a steady stream of people who, for some unknow reason, are willing to put up with it. Believe me, they KNOW they are wrong. Get out while you still can!

[jacl]

[laconic2]

[Ya-ta Boy]

I think some of you were not paying attention. The guy has an E-2. How he got one without a contract I don't know (anyone heard of forged signatures?) but he has the visa. Therefore, he is in Immi's computer with a work visa. He is not free just to leave.

If he decides to leave he will need an LOR or go to the labor board and convince them the E-2 was issued fraudulently (with a lawyer's help?).

[laconic2]

[Unreal]

[Grotto]

Tell them you want 2 seperate apartments. Both furnished. Use one to live in and the other to play in..or rent it out...or turn it into a foreigner bar

Stick to your guns and tell them to give you what you agreed to originally. If they want to give you key money and 600,000 won a month(300 each) then that would be an acceptable compromise.

If you are in GEPIK they are given 100,000,000 won per year to pay one persons salary, rent and supplies for the English program. So if two of you are there that would be 200,000,000 won...thats a whole lot of cash.

Typical Korean shortsightedness though.......Oh the FT is here...maybe we should find some housing for them now

[jacl]

When we are hungry, we can eat ramyon.