Korean Job Discussion Forums

lacoya · Joined: 21 Apr 2006

This is my first post, so please bear with me. I came to Korea seven months ago. I was paid my first months salary pretty much on time. The second month was paid in bits and pieces over the next four months. They now owe me four months salary. I have been in contact with the Labor Board. They gave me local numbers to call, but I'm having a problem with language. (I speak no Korean and they speak little or no English.) I gave a friend, who speaks Korean, the numbers and she is going to call and talk to them. My boss keeps telling me I will get paid. I'm the only "forgien" English teacher in the school, so I'm pretty much on my own. The city is small and I've only met one other person who is a native English speaker. He suggested I get a phone number for Immagration too. Where do I find this? Any information on what I should do next would be extremely helpful. Thanks. Lacoya Confused

Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

I think the Labor Board is a good idea. Is there any sign that the school is in financial trouble?

I'm sure many others will chime in to help give you advice.

If they are that far behind in paying you, then I'd simply refuse to work. Remember, we are not slaves, despite what some hagwon owners think.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

sometimes you have to be tough.

Tell your boss that until you get paid in full you will not teach any more classes. Still show up for work but just sit in the lobby and refuse to teach until you are paid.

Students and parents will call the school and ask what is going on. If you just dont show up you can put yourself in trouble with the labour board as well as have the owners tell whatever story they want about the evil foriegner. If you are there at the school they will be asking why you arent teaching.

guangho · Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 11:31 am Post subject:

Not to be mean but is there a reason you are still there at month seven when you are owed four months pay?

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

You need to specify which Immigration office you want to call.

I think your best bet at this point is the Labor Board. Contact them and ask what your rights are, what you (or they) can do about the pay issue and any other advice they can give.

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

It may very well be too late for the OP, but let this be a reminder to all those newbies out there: NEVER TOLERATE LATE PAY. When it gets to the point where they owe you 4 months salary, it's going to be a lot cheaper for them to just fire you, replace you, and let you go away quietly.

OP, your best bet now is to just follow the Labor Board's advice.

poet13 · Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 7:27 pm Post subject:

lacoya,
hi, its me, the other foreigner you know. No, no personal or city names here please. i'll call you next week adn try to get you into contact with a korean who can help with phone calls. I had very good success with labor and tax last week, so maybe we can call together and i can coach you a little (butt kissing 101)
we have talked about your situation and for everyone else here, i can say that her the OP came here to a city with perhaps two or three other foreigners, has been isolated her entire time, and completely ignorant of what her rights and resources are. it's easy to say, "hey, you're in a situation of your own making", but hindsight is of course 20/20.

regarding grottos and milwaukiedave's advice to refuse to work. I dont think thats a good idea. I have read in several different places here on Daves that refusing to work gives the employer cause to fire you on the spot. No, i have never read the law regarding that, fo rwhat its worth. Without your job, you wont have a home and no leverage to get your money. given that our city is so small, there likely wont be another job here, and the likelihood of making the trip here over and over to try and get your money is small.
I know you had trouble getting on Daves, so its nice to see you're here now.

IwalkAlone · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Location: Daegu

How is the school doing financially? Whats' the student to teacher ratio?

lacoya · Joined: 21 Apr 2006

Thanks for all your replies I'm greatful.

I'm not sure if or how much financal trouble the school is in. Two English teachers have left and not been replaced. I reciently learned that several teachers are having wage problems too.

I teach 5-6 hours a day and have 2-15 students per class.

Why am I still here? Right now I don't know anymore. I guess trying to get my pay..... trying to save what little self-respect I have left....... trying to keep my integrety in full filling my contract and trying to work with the system. I'm also not a quitter. A stuborn foolish ditz maybe, but not a quitter.

Poet, I thought that was you. I will be looking forward to your call. Thanks

lacoya

Hotpants · Joined: 27 Jan 2006

This is a serious issue. You haven't been paid for FOUR WHOLE MONTHS!!!! Crikes, you can't just sit and wait that long for a salary!

You have to confront the boss (have you never discussed this issue with him/her before???) and tell them politely that unless you receive your salary by the end of the day, you will not work for them anymore. You then get your letter of release, pack up and go get another job. Make sure you find recourse to claim back all your missed salary afterward. Keep it all polite, but be firm. Your boss knows that you expect your pay, so they won't be surprised in the least if you approach them.

One poster said that you will get fired if you confront the boss. I don't see how you can fear getting 'fired' for an unsalaried position. The only thing you could fear would be if you've been working all this time without a visa, or if you don't have any money to get by while looking for a new job.

Finally, when you finish with this outfit, you need to post the school's name on this board with a warning of unpaid salary. No one should fall for getting lured there. Sounds terrible. Get out now!

alabamaman · Joined: 25 Apr 2006

poet13 · Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 5:31 am Post subject:

well, I dont htink i could actually GO to the labor board as I am the only foreigner in my school and never have the time off, but I will do what i can. My only real advantage is having faced some of these problems before, done some research, talked to some people, and asked a pile of questions on Dave's. OP's situation sucks, and to be frank, I would be surprised if she "won". Like another poster said. at this point, it's cheaper to fire her and hire another....

poet13 · Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 5:35 am Post subject:

Hey all,
For clarification, could anybody in-the-know post what they 'know' about refusing to work and the consequences. I related what I read previously on Dave's, but that doesnt make it gospel. If someone actually does know, please post a link. It would be a help, thank you.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Ask yourself this....if I refuse to work and they fire me...how am I any worse off than now? It is the only weapon you have right now.

Having gone through this very situation last year and having had all the same doubts and sleepless nights worrying about what I should do.........
I say REFUSE to work until you get your pay. If they really don't have the money..........then continuing to work will only get you in deeper. I am willing to bet that they are hoping you will do a midnight run so that they won't have to pay you at all. Try a work stoppage first and see what happens. If worst comes to worst, you are better off getting out of there. Believe me, it's better for your sanity and health to settle this once and for all.

This is the only way that you will know for sure.

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

He just doesn't want to pay you. He's looking to get away with as much as he can. This is way past diplomacy. Go in and scream, "Give me my farking money!"