Korean Job Discussion Forums

Ekuboko · Joined: 22 Dec 2004 Location: ex-Gyeonggi

My co-teacher has just told me that from next month the Gyeonggi Office of Education will be withholding 100,000won from my pay each month to cover damage, bills and whatnot to do with my apartment after I leave, but I will get what's left over back. In other words, they've decided to take bond money.
She said schools have been sent a notice about it, asking them to explain to the native teacher.

I told her I don't agree with this and it is not written in the contract that I re-signed to. I also told her that the Office of Ed needs to send out a notice in English explaining what they are intending to do and why - but really, what recourse do we have?

Has anyone else working in Gyeonggi schools been told about this?

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

Hmm, that's interesting. I haven't heard anything about this and it also isn't in my contract either. I will look out for this.
Thanks for the heads up!

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

Are you on GEPIK?

I know more than a few GEPIKers around my area did a 'mid-night run' over the summer vacation, so maybe the powers that be are getting scared.

Ekuboko · Joined: 22 Dec 2004 Location: ex-Gyeonggi

No, on EPIK.

BigBlackEquus · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 7:18 pm Post subject:

So what do you think, Jack? Figure there were a few fake degree holders in that bunch, or did it take place before the recent busts?

Ekuboko · Joined: 22 Dec 2004 Location: ex-Gyeonggi

I've just looked at the notice that my co-teacher received.

It comes from my city's Board of Ed, but she says that original notice would've come from the Gyeonggi Office - the two programmes that it's addressed to are EPIK and the Wisconsin one, so I don't know about GEPIK or anyone else that may be affected.

Also, it's a total of 500, 000won to be taken over 5 months.

Grump Evil or Very Mad

Hater Depot · Joined: 29 Mar 2005

I was in the Wisconsin program, they did the same. It was in our contract. I got it back minus some bills I'd left behind (I had to leave early).

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

I'm not with any of these programmes and haven't heard anything about it. My school pays my utlities aside from phone anyway, so it's almost a mute point. When I leave I'll get KT to write down that I'm in the clear.

antoniothegreat · Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Location: Yangpyeong

I am in the Wisconsin program too, and it is in my contract. has anyone that left had any problem with getting the money back?

Hater Depot · Joined: 29 Mar 2005

Ask. We've got our own website remember?

magicwolfman · Joined: 01 Sep 2005

Those Wisconsin people suck. I dont like them.

chiaa · Joined: 23 Aug 2003

Why not let the education office know that it is illegal to do that? Wink

I believe it states that on the efl-law website.

-666- · Joined: 12 Jan 2005

Illegal withholding of funds from the paycheque fall into the realm of the labour board.

Have them call the 1350 # and they will quickly be set straight as to the deductions allowed. Tax, pension, health.....no deposits are allowed to be deducted. Stand up and let them know that you will pass on any illegal deductions to the labour board to deal with!

joe_doufu · Joined: 09 May 2005 Location: Elsewhere

Hagwons often do that, but it has to be in the contract. If its not in your contract tell them that you won't accept it. If they insist, tell them to increase your salary by 100k a month and then go ahead and deduct. That way you get 500k back at the end of the year without losing any money. It sounds stupid (and is) but this is the way bureaucracy works... you might actually get it.

Hater Depot · Joined: 29 Mar 2005

Deductions are illegal only if they're not in the contract. If they are, you agreed to it and it's legal.