Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mikefitztefl]

Hi everyone,

I'm not sure where to turn, or even where to post this on the forum. I did a search of topic, but still couldn't find a solution to my dilemma. Can anyone help me?

It seems my Korean employer has stolen my pension. I am a Canadian and have worked for him for 14 months now. He owes me backpay from April, and another teacher hasn't been paid and has gone to the labour board tofilea complaint. I am getting worried he might run with thestudent tuition fees and employee wages, so I approached him about the April wages yesterday. The guy told me I can accept not getting the pay right now -- or "just not turn up for work tomorrow" (I am guessing he suspects that if I don't show up for work, then he has a case with the labour board not to pay any of my backwages...).

Anyway, upset over his refusal to pay, I decided I need another job and so I stopped in at the pension office yesterday to see what documents I needed to get my pension, in case I leave in June.

The pension office here in Daegu ran a check, and said my employer only made a contribution of one month out of the 14 months. I argued and told them it says in my contracts that the deductions would be made, and I also have payslips to prove the deductions were taken out of my pay each month.

But according to the pension office, my employer simply took the money and put it elsewhere (likely a separate bank account) -- and so I have no pension to claim. They said they can't help me.

What the heck do these pension guys do in their job - if they aren't checking on dodgy employers, stealing their employees pensions! What makes it worse is I was here working in 2010, and those employers never paid my pesnion either. So the pension office rubs it in by saying: "looks like you have been ripped oiff twice - and nothing we can do about it."

Do I have any moves here to try and reclaim my pension? It is 9% of 14 months of the 3 million salary I was getting -- so it's like $4,000. I'd like it back -- since it was my money that was taken. I have signed contracts and payslips that prove deductions to the pension service were taken from my wages. Any advice? I am even willing to risk just getting half of that back and giving the other half to a lawyer that can get it back.

I wonder too...shouldn't these damn pension guys be looking into such a scam, rather than just shrugging and sending me off? How many other foreigners in Korea are getting scammed this way? I strongly suggest toanyone..that if you are working for a private hogwon --you'd bettter check your employer is paying your pension -- he could very well be stealing it and you'd have no idea, and no offer of help from the pension idiots, so it seems.

Any advice from anyone would be much appreciated. I can stay in Korea a few weeks to try and get it back if anyone has any ideas - but after that -I really want to leave and find a legit employer.

Thanks in advance,

Mike

[tophatcat]

Someone is being lazy at the Pension Office. If you have a Korean friend who can go in with you, ask them to join you for a visit.

[kimchi_pizza]

Hey Mike,

Sorry to hear what happened, my two bits worth...

First, stay calm and think clearly. Say or do nothing that will
give your employer ground to stand on against you including
posts on Dave's.
Gather every single document you have from contract to pay
slips to ARC to pension certificate.
Without giving your employer a single HINT to your next move
or intensions, plan your next move but continue to do your job
as best as you can with a smile, for your students' sake at least.

Find a trusted Korean speaking friends and find out your options
which the labor board seems best. There are plenty of guys on
Dave's more knowledgeable in that regard and no doubt they'll help
you out.

Personally, I find it very hard to believe he is able to touch anything
IN your pension as I always assumed that it is a highly controlled an
regulated government department that is strictly between YOU and
the Korean pension office. I do at least a once a year visit to the
pension offices to make sure everything is tip-top and it always is.

Messing with an expats pension is as low as it can be.
Good luck, man.

[ttompatz]

You got a lazy git at the pension office.

Go back and take your documents and proof with you.
Take a translator with you.

File a formal complaint in regards to the unpaid funds in your account (assuming it is more than 90 days in arrears).

Be prepared to find a new job since you will probably get fired over it.

.

[Wildbore]

This happened to me. My boss under-reported my income but was deducting the full amount (% on actual income).

Went to the pension office and they were essentially useless. Told me to contact my boss.

Went back 2 weeks later with a stern looking Korean male friend. Complete game-changer, they sent the matter to the enforcement department.

Bring a Korean.

[Weigookin74]

You don't have to work if there are non pyament of wages but you still have to be there. Just go in and sit in the teachers' room and don't teach any classes until he pays you. Think some folks told me about doing that and the employer couldn't claim anything as you still attended work. (Personally, I've love to just punch one of the %^&** [hakwon boss] in the mouth and threaten them with violence and shake them down. But, I guess that would violate Korean assult law here. So, do the minimal, be persistent, and try to use a Korean to help you.)

[SNOTOSEOUL]

Your boss didn't steal money from the pension office, or take money out of your pension. What has happened is your employer failed to deposit money into your pension account.

Now you might feel angry about this and want to argue with the pension office worker. Don't do that. It is not he who controls money coming in, or anything about your contract. Don't argue with him.

My employer also failed to put money into my pension for about 13 months. It took some nagging, but eventually they put it in.

I hope your boss gives you what is owed, but don't be a boob to the man at the pension office.

[Mikefitztefl]

Thanks to you all for the great advice. You've given me some hope. I'll go back into the pension office next week with a Korean friend and see if that gets any action! Will let you know!