Korean Job Discussion Forums

Stephne · Joined: 16 May 2007

I posted this in another thread previously and was advised to post it here, as I may get more advice. I apologise in advance if you end up reading this more than once, but I am really desperate.

I wish I had read all these posts BEFORE accepting a position with Wonderland. It is absolutely the worst institute I have EVER had the misfortune to come across. And that includes mental institutions across the world!
I am currently in a battle to get my passport back from them. Today I was told to get out of the apartment immediately, despite the fact that they haven't given me my salary for the past six weeks (I worked 10 weeks with no E2 applied for - which is why I refused to continue working for them) or my passport. They have also grabbed the apartment key. And I mean grabbed!
Anybody out there know where I can go for help? I have no money for a flight out of here, no passport, no place to go and they are keeping my salary for the prepaid flight costs. Please understand that I am NOT asking anyone for money or a place to stay, only advice. I have been to my Embassy, they can't help me. I have been to SHC, but they say it's a matter for Labour Court. I don't have money to stay in Korea while I wait for the Labour Court to take action. If I go to Immigration, I will be put in a detention centre to be deported. My visitors visa expires in 10 days' time.
And before you start telling me how dumb I was in coming here believing they would "immediately apply for my E2 visa"............... I know!! Now. They say hindsight is 20/20. I can only say in my own defense that I have never had a problem like this in 12 years of working in South America, USA and South Africa. I should have done more research!!!
On the other thread people asked why my Embassy can't help...... They say they have done what they could. They sent him an urgent fax demanding he return my passports, but he has ignored this and told them I still owe him money.I don't except for about 150,000KRW which I would be more than happy to pay in return for my passport, but he refuses to accept that. He has dreamt up hundreds of dollars in deductions from my salary that are nowhere in our contract, which he never signed by the way.
I was also asked if I don't have a credit card..... Yes, I do, but had to max it out to pay for part of the trip over and living expenses for the past ten weeks.
Another question was whether I have family...... Yes, thousands of miles away and none of them can send me $1500. Rolling Eyes

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Go to a large police station and report your passport stolen. That's what they've effectively done.

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

stephene- Do you know ANYONE in Korea? Anyone you can stay with while this is sorted out?
If they have your apartment, then they have your possessions, right? If yes, you MUST file a police report. When you file a police report, also include your documents- passport, diploma(?), and whatever else they have.
They have ADMITTED having your passport? Then the police CAN move on this.

Post you story on this site, too-
http://www.efl-law.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=30

Scroll through this thread and see if any of the advice given can help you. Ignore the bukowski BS.
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=75572&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

merkurix · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Location: Not far from the deep end.

Listen to Ttompatz, his advice is always good for this kind of stuff.
You haven't got an E-2 visa yet, so you should be okay and just apply for a real and less-scummy hagwon job (I was once a Wonderland victim-I-mean worker). You have no visa, so you are under no obligation to them whatsoever, and the contract is null and void. As for the passport, call the police and tell them they have stolen government property. If you call the Embassy, you can just apply for a new one. You may not be able to recover your lost wages, so I would just recommend applying for a new job on the job wanted boards. So sorry about your predicament; I hope everything works out.

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

The key is to be able to fly to Japan and back-to clear immigration. Gotta have the passport to do that. Rolling Eyes

After you do that, then you can file with Labor and get a new job.

Tokki1 · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 4:42 am Post subject:

Tell the embassy your passport has been lost or stolen and get a fast replacement.

Get a quick loan from family or friends.

Take the train to Pusan.

Take a boat to Japan.

Savor your fond memories of the Land of the Morning Calm.

TheBrain · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Acme Lab

Why is it always the same few posters who take the time to offer advice to those in real trouble? Those who claim to "love" their hagwan are never around when something like this happens. Why is that?

Tokki1 · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 5:58 am Post subject:

Because nobody loves their hagwons.

TheBrain · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Acme Lab

The sleazy actions of a hagwon drive yet another good teacher out of Korea. Why, oh why, is there such a shortage of foreign teachers? Rolling Eyes

TheBrain · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Acme Lab

Tokki1 · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 6:01 am Post subject:

It's all good. Drives salaries up.

TheBrain · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Acme Lab

Salaries? If the hagwon honors the contract.

superacidjax · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Location: Seoul

Police obviously. Of course you could also go sit in the school, refusing to leave until they give you your passport. It's against the law to hold a passport as "collateral," even if they claim they owe you money. One fun thing is to call the North Korean spy hotline number and report that the director "seems to be engage in some kind of activities relating to North Korea." He'll regret ever having screwed with you. They'll investigate him until he bleeds. ..like an IRS audit but much much worse.

Are you a US citizen?

bobbybigfoot · Joined: 05 May 2007 Location: Seoul

wow. what a story.

If you are that short on cash, then go to another school. Explain your situation and maybe they will help you out.

How about working for cash on the spot? I know it is illegal but you have been working already illegally, and now you have had many illegal things done to you. Bottom line: you have to take care of yourself. Get some cash.

I cannot believe your embassy would tell you there is nothing they can do to help you. That is the job of an embassy. You are a US citizen without a passport and they turn you away? I didn't realize the American government was that cutthroat/incompetant. Maybe this is the aftershock of having George W. as president for 8 years! Seriously, demand some help from your embassy.