Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kodigurl20]

Hello,

I just had an interview with a school in Daegu yesterday afternoon. They told me that they would e-mail the contract to me in the next few days so that I could look it over. My recruiter e-mailed me today to ask me about pension and health insurance. She said that the school prefers not to do the pension plan, and that they would provide travelers insurance so that I would have medical benefits. I was just wondering whether either of these were good ideas?
I thought that it was required by law to pay into the National Pension Plan and that most teachers were covered by National Health Insurance.

I asked about this and my recruited told me that not all schools participate in the pension plan and this just meant that instead of putting money away and getting it back at the end, I would just get paid up front. Is this true?

She also said that with National Health Insurance, it is only a few thousand Won to go to the doctor, but that travelers insurance usually covers all of it. Is this true?


Any advice/comments/info would be greatly appreciated!


Thanks!

[tired of LA]

Drop the recruiter and school. Pension and national health insurance is not optional.

Yes, its true you get paid up front since they are not deducting anything, but you would also not be getting their contribution either, 4.5%, if you're from a country thats eligible for the pension refund.

As for the health insurance, the reason they are suggesting travelers insurance is because it is cheaper. Travel insurance will have a limit, you would pay the whole cost upfront and have to deal with getting the refund. Not worth it.

The recruiter is lying to you and only interested in getting paid. Find a new recruiter.

[conbon78]

I definitely agree. My first school didn't pay into the pension and it was because he claimed me illegally...said I was a part-time worker. Don't do it - not worth it. Find a different place.

[isisaredead]

it's illegal - do not do it.

just imagine, too - if you DID sign with them, imagine all the other things they'd start doin' the dodge on. maybe even eventually your pay.

it sounds like a financially unstable hagwon trying to save a few bucks, and YET ANOTHER utterly useless recruiter.