Korean Job Discussion Forums

[steveaziz]

I took a semi-illegal teaching job after problems with my first hagwon. I say semi-illegal because my school sponsored me for a C4 visa to do "office work." For some reason this is what they like to do. Its one of those deals where you have to travel to two or three different schools each day and teach for an hour or two. I signed a 5 month contract which included my visa run, (I only needed one because they wanted to wait 3 months before they sent me, again why I don't know) and half my flight home. The first 4 months were great. My pay was paid on time and in full. My visa run went smoothly and they paid like promised, no hassles. When I signed the contract I knew I was going to leave Korea on November 18th and signed the contract for the 16th. I asked the boss if i could be paid on the 16th because I would be leaving on the 18th. He assured me this would be no problem. When I was about two months from leaving I asked him again. No problem. Im sure by now you can see where this is going so I will try and keep it short. basically I went to get the pay and he said he didnt have it. and that I would have to wait a week. My plane ticket was already purchased and my bags almost packed. We made an agreement. that he would give the money to my friend who was also waiting for money from the same company, and my friend could just deposit it into my Canadian bank account. Anyways he goes to get it and they dont have it. Now its four months later and I have received a couple installments but I am still owed one million won. Lately he wont answer my phone calls and when he does, he is going to send the money... or he already sent it...... or he will send it on tuesday.

The school first of all sends its teacher to more than one school. I think this is illegal in itself isnt it? The E2 visas have to be sponsored by a school and you can only work at that one school, am I right? So if the company consists of 30 or 40 foreigners from all over the world, many posing as Americans, most with C4 visas who are running over the city teaching at dozens of schools. Would this not be pretty illegal? Also they got caught once by the Suwon police department, but were able to get out of it with a bribe. I dont know how true this is but none of the teachers lost their jobs and were allowed to continue working at their schools.

I would like to use this bit of information to help me get my pay.
I feel that a threat would be enough push to get my pay in my bank. Lets hope. The problem is I cant back down if I tell him I will contact immigration. I have been looking on the internet for some sort of phone number or email of someone who i can report this to. Can anyone help me? also is it a good idea to use this info to my advantage?

Thanks

[mole]

It seems as though you have no leverage here.
Neither Immigration, Board of Education nor Labor Board has any interest in following up on your claims.
Especially if you are out of the country.
Feel fortunate you worked under self-described "shady" circumstances and only got stiffed for a million won.
You're a success story. Why push it?

[ED209]

Informing immigration would screw any teachers still in the country, so that is something to consider. It would also screw you for future visas and returning to Korea. You may have to write this off.

Perhaps he doesn't pay tax, this wouldn't involve immi.

[steveaziz]

yeah I would hate to screw over the teachers that work there now.