Dear Steve,
I am extremely happy that more and more foreigners are speaking out about Thai Labor Law.
However, being that you have so much experience on the subject, can you please tell me where do private Thai schools fall under the labor law? I just read the two Postbox articles about how teachers (Thai and foreign) in private schools have absolutely NO rights. Is this true?
Hi Rome,
that’s a really sad story you tell, but an all too often one heard. You should stand up and be counted as you say, and don’t let them treat you this way. If there’s a local newspaper printed in English in your area, you should consider getting a meeting with the editor and telling them your story. Maybe they will have some courage and try to support you since you appear to not have done anything wrong.
I’m sure Mr. Crawford will be able to give you some solid advice as well. I have personally seen situations where blonde, blue-eyed certificate- challenged teachers have been selected above well qualified, certificate-carrying teachers, so this comes as no shock to me at all to hear that you were thought to be less of a teacher simply because you are a Phillipino. The fact is that some shallow Thais like to parade around the “whitey” like some trophy and play the game of one-upman-ship which you mentioned e.g. because a rival decided to pay for farang teachers. It’s pitiful really and maybe you should ask yourself whether you are not better off away from a school which is run with this lack of integrity? Just a thought.
Good luck whatever happens and do let us know how it all ends.
Tom
Our school is one of the biggest schools in this province. After working for 6 years in this school, the new school director (almost half of year 5 to year 6) told the head of the English Department to terminate 2 Filipino teachers because “the school” wants to hire 2-3 NATIVE Speakers. During our meeting, our head told us that the school director/committee said “The other school(the rival school) has a NATIVE Speaker so why can’t we?“ since we are the “biggest” school in the province.
According to them, the students gave us good reviews and they keep telling us that they too are in shock to the director’s decision. Can we protest about the termination? If we voluntarily withdraw from the school due to this event, should we write a resignation letter?
What other things can you suggest us so we will not be left like a doormat? Can you suggest a win-win solution for this scenario because it’s killing us on the inside.
During year 1 to year 4 before this new director arrived, we have been doing well as teachers.
My personally observation is that the director has a sort of “bitterness” against us Filipinos. We did a lot for the school for the past 6 years (camps, seminars and competitions)did placed our school on the map and yet we are treated this way.
Please do help us. This is the first time, after 6 years, knew about our rights. We’ve trusted them so much and now we are in ruins.
Ok, maybe this will be a stupid question but I want to ask:
Are these can be reasons for get fired:
1) Sometimes you are speaking Thai in the classroom (Listen, I am doing this because my students can not even say GOOD MORNING… why? because you thai english teachers sit in the classroom do your make up or talk on the phone)
2) Students don’t like you (were you like your teacher when you were at school? And when something happens of course TEACHER is always the guilty one for students)
3) Why you do the same topic too long (I can have 4 hours with my 1 class in a month! 4 hours in a month! And add this that they can not even say GOOD MORNING! Now, if I am teaching them 24 occupations in 4 hours which is a month, it means i taught them occupations in 4 hours in a month! I think I am a good teacher… But they think I am teaching the same topics!!!)
4) You are sometimes punishing the students (I have 50 - 54 students in my classroom. And they love to talk, but thai not english and also talk on the phone! Now, if I stop this phone calls or stop this talking with eachother thing by a punisment… sorry it is my bad because Im thinking the rest of the classroom, i mean the innocent ones who are trying to learn! ohh… my punisment is I gavethem 4 times sit - stand up!!!! At least I dont have a stick in my hand like you!!!)
Anyway, 2 weeks ago I have been told that I can not teach in this school anymore because of these reasons! Without asking my defence or my comments. I told them that this is really stupid. Now.. I know that we farangs are nothing in this country. They smile to your face but kill you from your behind! But this is too much! 2 months ago I was the best teacher in the school and now I am at the bottom!
So, please someone tell me if I can get fired of these reasons. If not, what should I do?
Thanks
Dear Steve,
I have been teaching English to undergraduate students in a small university since February 2008. The university offers free accommodation at the campus, which I refused during my first contract because I had a second very well paid Sunday-job, and could easily afford 5,000 Baht rent for my house in Lampang. This company stopped their courses in October 2009, which means that since October I have to live with approximately 10,000 Bath after all my monthly fees are paid. My new year contract starting on October 1 2009 provides accommodation by the university during the working period, but when I asked for a house on the campus, I was told that there is no accommodation available at the moment. I have the Labour Protection Act B.E.2541, but I haven’t found any clause relating to this problem. So I would be very pleased if you could tell my whether my employer is forced by law to pay for accommodation (because it is part of my contract) or not. Thank you very much in advance, and I am looking forward to hearing from you, Yours sincerely Amand Jentges
By Amand V. Jentges, Lampang Thailand on 2010-04-07