Korean Job Discussion Forums

[anyway]

I work for a university. I am married with two kids. I was promised 'married' housing which turned out to be two rooms, small kitchen, and toilet/shower closet. The whole thing is about the same size as most 'single' or 'studio' rooms I've seen. Maybe 12 pyong total. Although the size is not what I thought I had been promised ('two bedroom apartment'), I didn't make a fuss.

The REAL problem is the mold. The windows in one room are faulty and that wall has taken lots of water. There is a LOT of mold growing under the window and in the corners of the two adjacent walls. I mean A LOT. A guy even came to measure the windows a while back (in every apartment of the building), so I assume there is a major problem in the building.

My question: what legal recourse do I have? I have already told my boss about the problem. They didn't seem to care much. I mean, if they offer this size an apartment for 4 people, that pretty much says it all.

Has anyone dealt with the Labor Board about inadequate housing issues? What can I expect them to do for me?

[MarionG]

I have no answer for you regarding the Labor Board, but I would simply go to the Labor Board and ASK them about the issue. From what I've read on here, they are generally helpful.

Then I would sit down with your boss and say something like this (in part depending on what the Labor Board tells you)
1. The housing is inadequate.
2. The mold is dangerous for my children.
3. This is a problem which has to be solved.
4. Let's have a meeting day after tomorrow. At that meeting I'd like to
here your suggestions for solving this problem fairly.
After all, I'm sure you can understand that even thought the crowding of 4 people into these inadequate accomodations is difficult, the health issue is paramount. You'd never want your own children subjected to this and so I know you'd never want mind subjected to it either. (He probably doesn't care a beep, but you can play let's pretend...)
Certainly a university of this stature (think Harvard while you are saying this) doesn't want to be known for this sort of thing. I'm sure we can find a solution at our meeting and I'LL BE ANXIOUS TO HEAR YOUR SUGGESTIONS.

Then, have your own suggestions to be presented AFTER he presents his suggestions at the meeting. In no special order...
1. If all else fails, of course I'll have to leave rather than risk the health of my children. I certainly don't want to do that.
2. Your suggestions of ___________ has merit, but it would have to be _________ for it to be acceptable.
3. I know (smile) that your suggestion of _____________ was a jest, so we won't talk about that one any more. (Use this if he suggests somethng like "Go rent your own apartment, and you pay.")

Good luck.

[MarionG]

Failure to proofread...I apologize...here hear, mind, mine etc.

[Snowkr]

OP

I agree with Marion. You should have a meeting with your boss to seriously discuss the problem. If that doesn't work, I'd say be prepared to be heavy handed. You can't stay in a place with mold. It's bad enough for you but to put your children in that position is unnacceptable.

Mold doesn't seem to be a big issue to Koreans as I've also discovered from personal experience. If housing is in your contract, you have to put your foot down. If they don't relocate you, they need to provide you with a stipend to find a new place for you and your family on your own. If they don't do that... they should find a new teacher.

People should also be warned before accepting a job with your university if the housing situation is that bad. If worse came to worse and you ended up leaving them, I hope you'll expose the school and caution others of signing on to work for such a place!

[garykasparov]

[anyway]

Thanks for your comments, everyone. Of course, there is the option of discussing this with the boss. Until now, I have only 'mentioned' it because I didn't realize how serious the mold issue was. Plus, from my experience there is very very little chance for negotiation with Korean employers. They MIGHT listen only when push comes to shove imho...

A few things I forgot to mention....

I should have added that ALL the housing is OFF CAMPUS. That means I am living in an apartment which is leased from a Korean landlord. I live in a building with mostly uni student renters.

There are at least a couple other instructors (single) have mold (and other) issues with their housing (different location). I believe their building is in fact owned by the university because the building bears the university name.

There is also another married instructor (F2) who was only offered the university housing, not a stipend, but declined.

[Draz]

[Tony_Balony]

Save your money for key money, demand the housing allowance and leave ASAP to the housing of your choice.

[PGF]

How hard up are you for this job? You have family here; so I think you probably have money saved. Do as Marion suggests.

If there is no resolution. Find another job.

It sounds like they've put you in a place for kids (uni students) who would never complain about such trivial matter as deadlt mold.

Maybe they'll stick one of the kids in your unhealthy apt., and give you a cleaner apt.

If not, get a housing stipend. If they won't do that, find another job. Gp to a hagwon for awhile.

[anyway]

Again, thanks for the opinions and advice, but my question is really about the Labor Board. Yes, as Marion suggests, I will go and ASK the Board. I posted here to find out what I might expect from them. I realize that there are probably very few people who could realistically answer that question. Hearing your opinions at least helps me mull it over some more...

Here's the thing. I have already approached these clowns (my bosses) about changing to another university (which offers major key money). That university allows part-time employment which would allow me to continue where I currently work and finish my contract. My employer said no because 'our uni doesn't allow foreigners to work part-time'.

Yes and no. There are foreigners who work part-time contracts (6 hours per week), but these are considered full-time because a visa is sponsored. They allow Koreans to work part-time but not foreigners. I would imagine they also allow Korean full-timers at our uni to take part-time jobs but not the foreigners. That is, our contracts say we foreigners must ask for permission to work outside the uni, but the request for permission is always rejected. I was even encouraged to get privates - BY MY OWN BOSS!

So, the full story is - my employer is not willing to let me (or any other foreigner) solve my own problem even though I offered to fulfill my obligations as a part-timer. The excuse offered, 'university policy', is complete BS!! As if Korean policies are written in stone - no exceptions. It simply shows how 'caring' (and territorial) they are.

Therefore, I am past the stage of negotiation. I'm seeking some hard facts about laws (if any) regarding this situation. I know I can always pony up and find my own accomodation. BUT I ONLY HAVE 6 MONTHS ON MY CONTRACT. I would imagine most landlords want a year lease or whatever.

[MarionG]

Next time they shoove policy in your place, say "Well ________ policy (the blank is for your family name) is to live in a place that's healthy for my children. Fix this problem!"

[anyway]

hahahahaha, that's a good one, Marion! I see we think alike...

[yeremy]

I'm allergic to mold, too, so I'm sympathetic, but you should have checked the housing before you signed the housing. 12 pyong is way too small for a family of four to live in. I live in a 15 pyong apartment and that is just big enough for my wife and I, and we do not have kids.
Housing in Korea is a big problem. It's expensive and often it's substandard, compared to the US. You have six months, so I think that it's time to start cleaning the mold, if you haven't already, and looking at the air circulation in your apartment as well as heading off to the Labor Office.
I lived in a large apartment north of Seattle before I came to Korea and the mold thrived around the cracks in the windows, too. I cleaned and killed the mold with common household bleach, which you can by in Korea, but it has a different brand name.
I disagree with M.G. You have to take some responsibility for your situation. You didn't look at your housing before you signed the contract, so you are part to blame. There are times I would like to tell a Korean off, but I don't because I know that it won't change nor help things. Besides, you will possibly need their reference, ironically, to get out of your situation. Cheer up. Six months is not a long time when you're working hard. I also doubt you would find a six month lease, at least in a reputable place.

[anyway]

Well, I am actually suprised that it took so long for some young whippersnapper to come on and tell me it is all my fault. Yes, young son, I faced up to my own culpability for the situation some time ago, but honestly I don't feel much responsibility for getting into it, just out of it.

For your information, young son, I was hired from abroad. Therefore, I couldn't actually see the apartment before I was hired. Does that makes sense to you? Is it still my fault? After you grow a bit, you will consider these possibilities before making such comments.

By the way, young son, different people have different requirements regarding the size of their living space. As I mentioned in the OP, the size of the space didn't really bother us. We don't have the requirements that many westerners have. Also, if you read carefully, I'm not allergic to mold and never said I was.

But thanks for the info about the inadequate/housing problem in Korea, and reminding me to check the ventilation and clean the mold! You'll be a good father someday.

[faster]