Hi, I have been teaching in Bangkok for 10 years and recently answered an ad on-line for a gov't school upcountry through an agent. A contract was dropped off for me to sign and it states that I will only be paid for 10 months work. Can anyone tell me if this is common in gov't schools. The contract also says that I will not be allowed to accept any outside work for the down months of October, April etc. Anyone with experience with this type of contract please share it with me. Thanks

Frankly, I'd get out of that contract PDQ, Page. Tell the agency where to stick it, politely if you like. It sounds like they're trying to truss you up like a turkey ready for Christmas (or Thanksgiving). The next 'surprise' from the agency will be no work permit.

12 months pay per year (and freedom to do what I want in the down months) is a non-negotiable for me.

I was told by a government uni where I used to work that it was not legal for farang teaching staff to receive a less than 12 month contract (meaning 12 months work and pay). It may well be the agency that dreamed up this one, it does happen in Thailand - if you let it. Don't.

Edited May 25, 200719 yr by paully

Hi, I have been teaching in Bangkok for 10 years and recently answered an ad on-line for a gov't school upcountry through an agent. A contract was dropped off for me to sign and it states that I will only be paid for 10 months work. Can anyone tell me if this is common in gov't schools. The contract also says that I will not be allowed to accept any outside work for the down months of October, April etc. Anyone with experience with this type of contract please share it with me. Thanks

Upcountry is work enough working directly for government schools. In my province 5 years ago, all teachers worked for an agency. Currently all teachers in the province are working directly for the schools on a 12 months contract. It generally means 1.5 months paid holidays. Agencies are paid only for the working hours which are approx. 10 months. That's why you are paid 10 months only. E.g. October and April no pay.

Agencies don't want you to work in the holiday time because they are afraid that you organise a summer camp directly with the school or accept private students. They consider that as "stealing" work.

There is another much more dirty thing that not many teachers know about. The agencies let the schools sign a contract that the schools are not allowed to hire (ex) teachers from the ageny for a period of 3 years after the contract with the agency is finished. If schools attempt to hire the (ex) teachers they will be sued and have to pay a fine of 300,000 THB. That's in the contract. This blocks your opportunity to work directly for the school when you like them and they like you.

Stay away from agencies. There's work enough at government schools directly. Government school like to hire you directly because it's about 30 % cheaper.

Petch01

^ Good post, Petch. I didn't realise agencies stooped that low.

Edited May 25, 200719 yr by paully

^ Good post, Petch. I didn't realise agencies stooped that low.

Thanks guys. I'm convinced. I saw the ad for a school in my wife's hometown and thought I'd give it a try. No previous experience with agents. Luckily I was teaching when they dropped off the contract and was able to get to a computer. I'll politely return it on Monday. It's too bad because the 3 days I did teach were some of my most rewarding in this career. Thanks again.

Edited May 25, 200719 yr by page449

Somewhere down there I have a thread with questions to ask about a job before accepting it- I'll dig it up; it's interview time...

"S"