By Nguyen Thinh
There is a growing concern about English centers in Vietnam using part-time workers to skirt labor laws. By treating these workers as independent contractors instead of employees, these centers can avoid paying benefits and proper salaries. This not only exploits the workers but also creates an uneven playing field for those English centers that do follow labor laws and pay their employees fairly.
It is also a common practice within these centers to schedule part-time teachers with the hours many countries in Asia consider full-time teaching hours. The centers often require unpaid training hours and require daily availability.
The use of part-time workers also affects the quality of education provided by these English centers. As part-time workers, these teachers may not have the same level of commitment and investment in their students as full-time employees.
Furthermore, the high turnover rate of part-time workers can result in inconsistency and instability in the center’s curriculum and teaching methods.
English centers in Vietnam must follow labor laws and treat their workers fairly. This includes providing benefits and paying payroll taxes as required by law. Additionally, centers should invest in their employees by offering paid training and development opportunities, as well as fair wages and job security. By doing so, English centers can not only improve the quality of education they provide but also create a positive and sustainable work environment for their employees.
Currently, lacking any oversight, most English centers in Vietnam have become a Ponzi scheme for the owners, investors, and board members while the parents, students, and teachers are left behind.