Korean Job Discussion Forums

[elaine]

I need advice on my contract. I renewed for another year with Kyung-Hwa Girls' High School in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do in September. I submitted my airfare and was only paid for half (the portion home). They won't pay me for my airfare back here (even though they paid the first year). Now they want the money back and are saying that it was a gift. My contract clearly states that I will be paid the airfare on completion of the contract term (which expired Aug. 31st). There is a renewal clause that states if I want to continue my employment Air fare will be paid at the end of every contract term. My school has now interpreted this to mean that they will only pay for my airfare once I leave their employment permanently. I have had many discussions with the school and have given the required 30 days notice of resignation because I feel they lied to me. I see they have posted the job on Dave's ESL cafe and about the return airfare - it now states that "after completion of the first year, will be paid extra airfare (Economy class for round trip). What does that mean, extra airfare? Is there a labor office in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do? Do I have any legal recourse in getting my airfare?

[schwa]

That sucks. Its standard procedure for public schools to pay for a return trip home between contracts if you sign up again. Sounds like your contract probably confirms this (standard epik/gepik wording). I think the labor board would have backed you on this.

All else being okay, maybe you quit overhastily.

But now that you've given notice to quit you've muddied things considerably. I'd say best you can hope for is either not repaying the oneway fare or having them buy you a new oneway ticket home.

Call the labor board. Best luck.

[Hotpants]

I had a similar prob with a previous job. I ended up waiting until 2 and a half years into the job before I got paid a grand total of W800,000 for a roundtrip airticket to my home country. It was laughable. However, my employer had been more than great in all other respects, so I just accepted the amount and didn't take action. However, it would be probably be advisable to report it to the labor board because it could set a precedent for other teachers if you let an employer get away with it. If you want to fight it, I think the labor board would be ready to take it up.

Check this link for a list of labor offices in your area:
http://www.korealisting.com/level_one/Directories/embassies/embassy_main.htm