Korean Job Discussion Forums

[LoveBug3306]

I've been one of many to be screwed over by "W" (also known as EWHA) and although I'm no longer working there, my problems seem to drag on and on with this disgrace of a company.

When I left my contract (after a nervous breakdown brought on by their mountainous river of b.s.) they assured me I would be taken care of and all would be well. They also claimed to understand the root of my problems yet tried to coax me into staying with them, while in the same breath making comments on how the desk teacher and accountant were quitting, and how both the director and manager were contemplating leaving as well!!

I refused to keep teaching under the ongoing conditions and they refused to take me to immigration to cancel my visa until they found a replacement for me. After rounds of dodged phone calls and vague emails I met with the director face to face, only to discover EWHA had nicked my final wages for several varying reasons that made no sense. After an hour of arguing I simply gave up the fight (and the won) because yet again, Korean logic worked on only one side of the fence, (that side never being the actual logical side) and pushed on to a different battle. I was assured my damage deposit would be returned in a month's time and all would be well as long as I was patient and gave them time to get their collective acts together.

It's currently been more than a month and I'm still waiting for my damage deposit to be returned. I'm also phoning the school on a regular basis but all four numbers I call have been seemingly disconnected...that or they instinctively know when a former employee is trying to track them down and get a real answer (my personal theory), so naturally they avoid the phone at all costs. Literally.

Aside from my damage deposit, I need to find out what can be done about my pension. I worked for EWHA ("W") for close onto a year, but I'm not sure how to go about getting my pension from them, if at all. I have a new job in Seoul, so can I apply for my pension now, or do I have to wait until my new contract ends and I leave Korea altogether? If EWHA won't pay up their portion can I still reclaim the money I've personally contributed?

Suggestions (other than staging a mass protest at headquarters) are greatly appreciated!

[Grotto]

to get your pension back all you need to do is go down to the pension office with a one way ticket out of the country, your ARC card and someone to help you fill out the documents. Most of the Koreans I have met at the pension center speak decent English and are friendly and helpful.

For the rest of it simply take EWHa to the labour board and let them sort it out for you.

[BigBlackEquus]

I have seen similar threads to this, but I haven't payed enough attention to figure it out. Is this Ewha the university, or a hagwon?

Are they associated? What age do you teach?

When on pension, you should get a cardboard (thick paper) pension card from the government pension. If it is a university, they will likely have a private pension that you might be more easily screwed out of. That is just a guess on my part, though.

[peppermint]

I've never gotten the pension card that BBE speaks of, though I know I've been paying in for 3 years. I got a letter a few weeks ago saying how much was in my account though.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Do have or can you get a list of the parents' phone numbers? If you can, start calling parents with a bilingual Korean friend saying that you'd like to 'discuss some concerns'.

When I was making it clear to my former hogwan that they were going to release me from my contract and cancel my visa, by the time we got off the phone with the second parent my supervisor was ringing me begging me to stop and promising me the letter I wanted.

That got their attention, and immediately.

[ulsanchris]

they are talking about ewha the hogwon chain.

[Hobophobic]

�ּ� : ����Ư���� ���ʱ� ��赿 795-21 �������� 5�� ��ǥ��ȭ : 02-591-4472, FAX : 02-591-4475

Good luck...there is the head office info....

or

...you could try
www.kiznara.co.kr
and leaving a msg with your concerns or opinions on the msg boards there for all the mommies to see....

[mindmetoo]

[stakay]