Alan

As a recruiter based in Thailand I take offense at what you have said about me and the way I do business.

When I recruit teachers for a school I try to get the maximum salary and the best conditions I can for the teacher, that way the teacher is more likely to complete the contract.

Money is not the only thing I care about, and have never tried to get anywhere near $1,000 per head.

As for my "greed", I am more concerned with getting the best school and teacher together than with making money. I have even recruited teachers without charge to the school before now, and I never take money from a teacher.

Where the @#$% do you get off libeling me and my business practices? Until you get ALL the facts about ALL the recruiters don't say another word, or I may have a few words with a very good lawyer.

Yes, there are some recruiters out there who do rip off the teachers, but by no means all of them. Try reading the following article written on www.ajarn.com a Thai based teacher website. http://www.ajarn.com/Banter/teacheragencies.htm
It might just enlighten you enough to retract your carte blanche statement about agents.

> Join Global Brainstorming & Improve the ESL Job Conditions!

> Join A Global Brainstorming on How to change the ESL job market 'from
> a Recruiter Centered Market to Teachers' Market'.

> Dear friends about the Globe!

> I am Alan; an ESL teacher from Canada, with a global understanding
> and a view of life based on unity of humanity.

> I am writing to you, in regards to the growing hard times for many
> teachers, that started about a couple of years ago.

> As many of us have seen since year 2002, the recruitment of ESL
> teachers, in many countries, at least in Korea, Taiwan, china, and
> Thailand that I know about, has fallen into hands of a few
> money-worshiping recruiters.

> This problem really became obvious, since the time some major ESL
> Employment web sites made their services to those who wanted to find
> teachers, a paid service.

> As the normal business practice in the 3rd world goes, these
> recruiters do anything they possibly can, to win the hearts of their
> clients - the schools - and win the very tight competition over other
> recruiters who also want the $1,000 or so for each "hunted
> head".

> The recruiters do offer the employers to find them teachers who will
> settle for less salaries, less: holidays / benefits / ...
> Now, over 95% of the positions in Taiwan, China, and Korea, and over
> 40% in Thailand, are filled by the recruiters; and there is no end to
> the greed, nor to the unnecessary sufferings caused for the teachers
> in these and in other countries around the globe.

> The problem has developed to a point where many teachers have no more
> place to go, as the new and inexperienced job seekers, although they
> do not get fair conditions, agree with just about any condition they
> get, the conditions that today are worst or a lot worst than those
> one would get 5 or 7 years ago.

> As for myself, I can always return home, and do other, more lucrative
> business at home. But that's not the point - I and many teachers love
> teaching and love cultural experiences - and non of us, the new or
> the experienced want to suffer at work. For my part this pursuit will
> go on, no matter what business I end up in.
> As a human, I will try to do what I can to bring about a change, and
> allow teachers more freedom of choice and better conditions; and I
> trust you, like many of us, have already had the desire for change in
> your heart!

> I cannot do this alone. In this matter we really need help of good
> humans like you! Please join and help brainstorm on this matter, and
> find out how we can better your work life, and the lives of hundreds
> of thousands of teachers worldwide!

> We need a number of eager teachers on this matter, and later we can
> have a global E.meeting or email chat together!

> Please let me know how you see it happening -
> 'The change from recruiter-centered to the teacher-centered job
> market'.

> With great appreciation and hope for better future of thousands of
> teachers including ourself, I look forwards to hearing from each kind
> spirit, soon!

> Love,
> Alan

> *** Tell every decent person you know to join. Even the mere joining
> of the minds of a thousand teachers will start the change,
> automatically!***