Salary at Bethel

by sandy 25 Replies latest jw friends

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  Euphemism

  Does the WT supply clothing and shoes as well?

  The WTS gives them a yearly clothing allowance, and pays them a standard mileage rate for use of their car for meetings and service. They also provide them free healthcare.

  What about a retirement plan? When the slaves get too old, do they send them back home to die penniless?

  If a Bethelite serves 15 years, they are guaranteed that the WTS will take care of them if they get old or are incapacitated. That is, of course, as long as they remain faithful dubs.

  I wonder what their resume would say

  Well most Bethelites, when they leave, go to work for "brothers." Some who were working in skilled or even professional positions actually gain valuable (albeit grossly underpaid) work experience. Most, however, have to start from scratch.
• 

  orangefatcat

  I was just wondering if some one left Bethel on bad terms, could you sue the Society for slave wages. I mean that is 100 percent criminal.

  Love orangefatcat.
• 

  morty

  Good question OFC........

  I will be checking out the comments on this one
• 

  imallgrowedup

  As far as health insurance, I think they wind up owing the Society for any major expenses, like surgery

  And how many years do they give them to pay them back? At $20 per weeks, it could take an entire lifetime! This is truly criminal!

  growedup

  P.S. Czar - It sounds like you were a bethelite?
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  Euphemism

  imallgrowedup... I believe that czar is mistaken. As I mentioned above, Bethelites receive free heathcare. Perhaps you could confirm that with one of the many ex-bethelites on this site.

  It is true, however, that if a person has persistent health problems, they will probably be asked to leave Bethel, unless they have been there for 15 years or more, in which case they are guaranteed permanent care (as long as they remain a faithful Witness).
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  Eyebrow2

  uhhhh thats why they are called VOLUNTEERS
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  funkyderek

  Twenty dollars per week??? You HAVE to be kidding!!! Isn't that illegal? Isn't that exploitation?!

  Exploitation, probably. Illegal, no. They are members of a religious order so normal employment rules don't apply. Essentially, from a legal point of view, they're monks.
• 

  undercover

  It is true, however, that if a person has persistent health problems, they will probably be asked to leave Bethel, unless they have been there for 15 years or more, in which case they are guaranteed permanent care (as long as they remain a faithful Witness).

  Is that in writing? I mean, do they have some kind of health care plan after they leave after 15 years? Is the underwriting by the WTS itself or by a "worldly" company? If you have an insurance policy or health care policy provided much like a retirement plan then can that plan discriminate against someone based on their religion?
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  Euphemism

  Undercover... maybe I wasn't clear.They're guaranteed permanent care as long as they remain at Bethel. And they're guaranteed that they won't be dismissed from Bethel except for "wrongdoing". That's why I said that they'll be cared for as long as they remain faithful Witnesses.

  If they leave for some reason, they're screwed, as far as I'm aware.

  For example, some Bethelites had to leave after 20 or 30 years to take care of aged parents. If they're well-connected, they might be accepted back to Bethel after their parents die; otherwise, they've pretty much sacrificed their retirement.
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  barry

  I still dont know how they get away with 20 bucks a week. Teachers at SDA schools were being paid less than the going rate but that was only about 10% less than other teachers. The SDA teachers threatened to strike here in Australia and had to then be paid the going rate.

  I hope the WT doesnt spread the religious order around other religious workers will be working for less than peanuts. Barry