Private Language Schools And Your Experiences

[CiaranO]

I have been working for a PLS for the last six months. The work is enjoyable, I have a WP (which I financed myself), the pay is average, however over the last few months I have noticed signs of the type of person I have been working for (greedy, no conscience, no real knowledge of anything school related, an ability to write nasty emails to people an cc everyone on it etc).

The straw that will break the camels back was recently we were told about having to pay social security tax, which I understand I must do. I researched the percentage and found it was 4% but up to a maximum of 600 baht per month. The reason I had researched this so much was bc my employer had told me that my SOcial welfare tax was 1200. When I asked how they had come to this conclusion I was told that it was 4% by 2 (8%). When it I investigated further I discovered that they are charging me more their portion of SWT that they should be paying. When the 2other teachers and myself queried this we were threatened with everything under the sun. I know it's not a huge amount of money but .............

Has anyone had similar experiences with private language schools ? How do you deal with these people?

[Loaded]

Accept, move on or contact your local labour office. Contacting your local labour office is going to destroy your relationship with the school however. You've confronted the owners with this, so it's unlikely there will be any backing down from them now as too much face is involved. It's even possible you misunderstood what they told you initially, as you haven't actually said they deducted 1,200 baht from your salary.

[CiaranO]

Accept, move on or contact your local labour office. Contacting your local labour office is going to destroy your relationship with the school however. You've confronted the owners with this, so it's unlikely there will be any backing down from them now as too much face is involved. It's even possible you misunderstood what they told you initially, as you haven't actually said they deducted 1,200 baht from your salary.

yes they deducted it................there was no mis-understanding unfortunately......"you are paying 8%.....all of it....why should i pay this ?".....but your points are valid.....thanks

[Loaded]

They shouldn't do that. Maybe contact the labour office after you find a new job.

Accept, move on or contact your local labour office. Contacting your local labour office is going to destroy your relationship with the school however. You've confronted the owners with this, so it's unlikely there will be any backing down from them now as too much face is involved. It's even possible you misunderstood what they told you initially, as you haven't actually said they deducted 1,200 baht from your salary.

yes they deducted it................there was no mis-understanding unfortunately......"you are paying 8%.....all of it....why should i pay this ?".....but your points are valid.....thanks

[CiaranO]

already begun the search lol...........and a trip to labour office after i leave lol.......

[Yme]

There's an English language version of the Thailand Social Security Act online with a download option here

There's also an English language version of a colour information brochure from the Social Welfare office that can be downloaded by going to the document download menu and then to the right of the menu item about the Social Welfare laws.

The brochure says 5% by employer and 5% by employee based on a maximum monthly income of Bt15,000. Any business with one or more employee must be registered with coverage provided for 15-60 years olds.

Edited August 27, 2012 by Yme

[puchooay]

If you have doubt, try this.

Tell them you are feeling sick. Tell them that you wish to go to the local hospital for a check up. Tell them you need your social security card, so that you can get free medical care.

[Parvis]

Don't keep the name of this school a secret - advertise it.

The ONLY way to stop corruption is to "shine a light on it".

Edited September 3, 2012 by Parvis

[Scott]

We do not allow 'name and shame' discussions on the forum for legal reasons.

[aidenai]

Any business with one or more employee must be registered with coverage provided for 15-60 years olds.

The Social Security law doesn't apply to institutions that fall under the Private Schools Act.

[CiaranO]

Any business with one or more employee must be registered with coverage provided for 15-60 years olds.

The Social Security law doesn't apply to institutions that fall under the Private Schools Act.

So what exactly does that mean................? Are we required to take out a private policy as such?

[CiaranO]

We do not allow 'name and shame' discussions on the forum for legal reasons.

Absolutely Scott...............had no intention of divulging the name.....

[Parvis]

Any business with one or more employee must be registered with coverage provided for 15-60 years olds.

The Social Security law doesn't apply to institutions that fall under the Private Schools Act.

You don't really think that Farang-owned Schools are given a competitive edge over Thai-owned Schools by the Thai Government -???

There is no such thing as a "Private Schools Act" as it pertains to paid employees (foreign or domestic).

Edited September 4, 2012 by Parvis

[CiaranO]

Any business with one or more employee must be registered with coverage provided for 15-60 years olds.

The Social Security law doesn't apply to institutions that fall under the Private Schools Act.

You don't really think that Farang-owned Schools are given a competitive edge over Thai-owned Schools by the Thai Government -???

There is no such thing as a "Private Schools Act" as it pertains to paid employees (foreign or domestic).

Actually a quick google brings up this PRIVATE SCHOOL ACT

B.E. 2550 (2007) (As Amended by the Private School Act (No. 2) B.E. 2554)

http://www.ctlo.com/mediacenter/Publications/2011-03-28-PrivateSchoolAct-En.pdf

[Parvis]

Yes ClaronO - I am surprised to see it - but you appear to be correct.

In theory, therefore, the "employee" - is considered a "contractor" (at least per USA laws). The School is not responsible to withhold any taxes including Social Security. The "Contractor" is responsible for all - and since a foreign "Contractor" is normally not even aware of "fair wages" (often not even qualified as teacher in his/her home-country) - he/she gets whatever minimum is possible - per School.

As one "Private School Director" put it - "Language Schools have always been a Cash-cow"

Edited September 5, 2012 by Parvis