Native Teachers Union in Chungcheong Partners with Chungnam Workers’ Rights Center

Hongseong, South Chungcheong Province, South Korea - The Native Teachers Union in Chungcheong has established a partnership with the Chungnam Workers’ Rights Center to expand legal support services for native language teachers in South Chungcheong Province.

Under the agreement, foreign teachers who are union members and live in South Chungcheong will have access to free legal counseling and assistance with filing complaints to the Ministry of Employment and Labor. Services are offered through the Chungnam Workers’ Rights Center, which is jointly operated by the South Chungcheong Provincial Government and the Korea Confederation of Trade Unions.

Support will also be provided by Sum Labor Law Firm, which is contracted to assist the Chungnam Workers’ Rights Center. The firm will offer additional legal expertise for teachers seeking help with contract disputes, unpaid wages, unpaid severance payments, unlawful termination, workplace discrimination, and other labor issues. Sum Labor Law Firm attorneys also offer power of attorney support for teachers who cannot speak Korean well or cannot attend Ministry of Employment and Labor investigations due to distance, work schedule, or other factors.

The partnership comes as many native teachers report facing a range of challenges in the workplace, including contractual irregularities, delayed or missing payments, unfair dismissals, and unequal treatment compared to their Korean colleagues.

“Whenever native teachers or foreign workers encounter an unfair situation at work, please knock on the door of the labor union and the labor rights center. You are not alone. You are always welcome here. We are ready to assist in any way possible,” said Choi Bohwa, Attorney for the Chungnam Workers’ Center.

The Chungnam Workers’ Rights Center was established to support vulnerable workers who could not afford regular legal assistance. Counselors and legal representatives provide services in both Korean and English.

“All workers, regardless of age, gender, or nationality, are equal,” said Han Jeong-ae, Director of the Chungcheongnam-do Labor Rights Center. “The Workers’ Rights Center in South Chungcheong Province is proud to support and assist the [members] of the Chungcheong Branch of the native-speaking instructor's union.“

In addition to one-on-one legal support and collective bargaining agreements, the Union and the Workers’ Rights Center plan to host workshops later this year to educate teachers on employment standards and workplace protections.
Teachers seeking assistance are encouraged to contact the Native Teachers Union and join today.