Korean Job Discussion Forums

wonkavite62 · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Location: Jeollanamdo, South Korea.

It's good to know this although it's negative. Korea makes us jump through so many hoops to get these jobs and then the university decides to be mean with money. But it affects Korean staff too. Yesterday, I read an article about a Korean lecturer, with a sick child. The problem was that he was only a part-time lecturer so no medical insurance was paid even though it was illegal to withhold it. So it was really hard to help deal with the child's illness. It was also the case that the university was deliberately keeping staff part-time, with no job security because it was cheaper and easier for management.
I do sometimes think that Koreans put up with too much crap from their bosses generally.

Lazio · Joined: 15 Dec 2010

wonkavite62 · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Location: Jeollanamdo, South Korea.

I think the university should have been paying that lecturer's health insurance, but we all know that Korean employers don't always honour contracts or act correctly. I am sure that many of them are okay, but Dave's ESL frequently receives warnings from teachers who have taught in dodgy schools. I remember posts on this forum by western people who complained their hagwon boss hadn't paid his share of medical insurance and pensions. They were clued up enough to go online and check. It is a real, live problem. It can't be automatic if bosses can wriggle out of it.

The article about the university lecturer was in the Korea Times I think. I will check it out and send you a link or something.

Lazio · Joined: 15 Dec 2010

Yes, foreigners can slip under the radar but not Korean citizens.
Even if for some unlikely mistake, someone doesn't move automatically, there are countless situations when it would turn out. Every time you get a loan, visit a doctor etc. And not just only one person but the spouse and children too if they are supposed to be insured under the sole earner in the family. You also can't even have any additional health insurance without having NHIS. So that is why I find it hard to believe that someone can unknowingly slip under the radar and remain uninsured for an extended period of time.