Who pays for the WP? (What does the law say)?

[WonnabeBiker]

Payment of the WP had been promised. Then we were told that no government school is allowed to pay any such expense, it's ordered by OBEC.

 

• Who of you government employees have had their WPs reimbursed or paid?
• What about this rogue school in Nan? https://www.ajarn.com/recruitment/jobs/126760/english-teacher-in-nan
• Isn't a WP part of the 'cost of doing business'?

 

With reference to the other big thread on how much schools get paid for foreign teachers, why would OBEC engage in micro-managing regional schools', overriding local management?

 

Take the tale of 2 government schools of similar size. One employs 6 network specialists and houses an office by ToT. They have a room full of servers with the electricity bill exceeding whatever 40 ADSL lines would cost if teachers' rooms were to be supplied indeependently.

 

Wifi? Huh? It never really worked, I kid you not. And internet at the large English Dept. has been ddown about 85% of all times.

 

• Payroll? Millions of THB.
• Efficiency, output, measurable results? Abysmal!

 

The other school just has single broadband connections and they all work. Not sure how many technicians they employ. But they could pick up the phone and call the ISP in case of problems.

 

[SlyAnimal]

Tonnes of government schools pay for their foreign teacher's work permits.

Usually the entirety of the foreign teacher's budget comes from special funds though, and so they aren't spending money that the government has given them.  Perhaps that's the difference at your school?

If they said in your contract that they'd pay for your work permit, then they should definitely be able to reimburse you for it.

[hereforgood]

 I have been the manager I have been the manager of 2 night time venues in pattaya.  in both cases the places of employment paid for my business Visa yearly and my work permit. The business is also paid my taxes monthly. I don't think it's something they can't pay for you I think they just decided they don't want to

[Deli]

Start a discussion for THB 3.100.- per year ?

[Monomial]

Not sure the problem here...

 

You are required to have a work permit in order to work at a school. If you do not have a work permit, then you can not legally work. You are under no obligation to pay for that administrative detail. It is part of the work permit process.

 

If they refuse to pay for your work permit, then that is equivalent to terminating your employment.  You simply need to give the school a written later stating that you understand they have refused to provide you a work permit and therefore you can not begin work. You then look for a new job.

 

Don't get drawn into a discussion about their internal policies. You can't win. It doesn't matter what the real problem is.  They have more information than you do, and it is their problem to sort out.

 

Just leave. Or pay it yourself if you really want the job. Those are your only options. Don't turn it into a drama...

 

[NoshowJones]

My two schools both paid for my work permit, but the last time I was taken to the Labour Dept by the Head of the English Department. My work permit was granted, then the H of the ED turned round and asked me for the 3000 Baht to pay for it. I refused so it was bye bye. I have not taught since.

Edited September 1, 2018 by possum1931

[Loaded]

Schools may ask you to pay but reimburse you at the successful completion of your contractual duties.

[thesetat2013]

In regards to your questions... OBEC does not care who pays for the work permit.... Its up to you and the school... 

As for your salary.. If i am not mistaken... the Ministry of Ed pays each school the same amount depending on how many foreigners work there... i believe the amount is in the range of about 26000 per teacher... any additional paid out to a salary would be covered by the school.

[Scott]

I don't know if there is a right or wrong on this issue.   I have known of different places having different policies on this.    Where I worked, the employee was completely responsible for obtaining the correct visa to work in Thailand.   The school would assist with any paperwork and would also grant them time off to leave the country, if needed.   The costs, however, were the responsibility of the employee.  

 

Once the employee was legally employable in Thailand, the school paid for the cost of getting the Work Permit.   The Work Permit allowed the employee to work at the school and thus was the responsibility of the school was their reasoning.  

 

I interviewed and hired people who had worked for schools that paid neither visa costs or work permit while others paid both.   It didn't seem to be a big issue with the exception if someone expected to be paid and then wasn't.  

[NoshowJones]

14 hours ago, Loaded said:

Schools may ask you to pay but reimburse you at the successful completion of your contractual duties.

Not in my case, the young English guy who I was to replace paid for his work permit out of his own pocket.

[otherstuff1957]

At my school the teacher pays for the WP and visa up front and is then repaid at the end of the year.  If they continue at the school for the next year, instead of being reimbursed, the school pays for their visa and WP renewal/extension.

 

However, there is no hard and fast rule about who pays and when in Thailand.  Each school has their own rules which may be applied consistently or may not be! ?