Korean Job Discussion Forums

chaz47 · Joined: 11 Sep 2003

I'm about to submit my letter of resignation and my recruiter who set me up with this job is telling me I need to reimburse the school the 500,000 won they gave me for my visa run. This isn't in the contract...( nor was the fact that the recruiter's girlfriend would make a profit from hooking up my apartment).

What would you do? It's a poor country school, and one of the recruiters at the office hasn't been too shady, but the other... well...

Seriously, what would you do?

kat2 · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Location: Busan, South Korea

If its not in your contract, don't worry about it. Don't let your recruiter tell you what the school needs to decide. How long have you been with the school. If its under 6 months, I don't think giving back the money is unreasonable.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

The question is - what can you do? They'll take the money from the last pay after everything is sorted. Are you gonna take this to the courts? Myself, I couldn't be bothered. To much time and hassle and more likely than not, expense... Smile

venus · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Near Seoul

Hate to have to say it; but you will lose that money. I only say it as it is, so that you can prepare yourself for it and save yourself a ton of stress. Same thing happend to me for 2 million won a couple of years ago. Got fired for no reason, given only three days notice and they cheated me out of a whole months pay.

And I wrote to lawyers, went with korean friends to the Labour office and filed a claim, complained to immigration - you name it.

I never did and never will hear of my case again or see that money.

I really do hate to have to say it and I sympathise profusely, but even though you might still fight it and still try to get the money, do not bank on it and accept and adapt financially to the possibility that you will lose it.

You could spend your time better trying to hook up a better job and making sure you get a letter of release, as this will make life easier for you when you find a better place of employment....

Good luck

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

Venus - I am curous, were you able to follow up your claim? Was there a decision?

chaz47 · Joined: 11 Sep 2003

Novernae · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Just tell your recruiter (and you boss if need be) that you won't be paying, and that if they do deduct it from you salary, you'll be taking it up with the labour board. Give them the labour board's contact address and ask them to verify their position. This is usually enough to end a scam of this sort. Follow through if you have to. It's open and shut.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Just tell your recruiter (and you boss if need be) that you won't be paying, and that if they do deduct it from you salary, you'll be taking it up with the labour board. Give them the labour board's contact address and ask them to verify their position. This is usually enough to end a scam of this sort. Follow through if you have to. It's open and shut.

venus · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Near Seoul

Don't want to burst any bubbles, but the Labour Board threat will not allways work. Will only come over as a threat and antagonise them more. they will have to retalliate to save face. That is how Korea works, I don't think you realsie this yet.

Most hakwan owners know how lame the Labor Board are when it comes to ESL Teachers. how many succesful victories have you ever heard of. None. Do try it as the above poster lays it out by al means. Just remember not to bank on it and to do everything politely and make sure it does not come over as a threat otherwise you enter a face saving competition that YOU CANNOT WIN.

Good luck.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

I beg to differ, and I do have first hand experience. This is an open and shut case for the l.b. and they will enforce it. Your employer cannot garnish your wages. This did happen to me at a university, and they were forced to pay it back.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

venus · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Near Seoul

Wow, I'm surprised is all. Were they both from Uni's? I'd imagine the L.B would take that more seripously as it would have a negative effect on the nation's image.

But hey, hope I'm wrong.

I did have a case, as I said for 2 million Won. Never got a thing from it. Pretty sure I'm not the only one.

I guess best advice to OP is - just be careful. I doubt uni's would resort to the bribery tactics a hakwan owner would, but if other hakwan employess have been succesful, well all power to them.

Just wonder why my bloody case was ignored.

xtchr · Joined: 23 Nov 2004