Step 4: Contractor Agreement & Payout Setup

This Independent Contractor Agreement ("Agreement") is executed on October 1, 2026, by and between:

COMPANY: Connect agent LLC ("Company"), d/b/a Connect Recruiting Agency, organized under the laws of the State of Wyoming, USA (Wyoming SOS ID: 2026-002073786, EIN: 61-2385959), having its registered office at 30 N Gould St, Ste R, Sheridan, WY 82801, USA, Authorized Representative: Safy Badr (Managing Director), and

EDUCATOR: Educator Candidate ("Contractor"), residing in Independent Contractor (Email: candidate@connectagency.online).

1. Scope of Online Tutoring Services

The Contractor agrees to provide professional online English as a Second Language (ESL) tutoring to students across partner academies in Asia. Classes are primarily conducted on the ClassIn and VooV Meeting platforms in 25-minute or 50-minute lesson modules.

2. Compensation, Payment Schedule & Gateway Requirements

2.1 Remuneration & Verification: The Company shall compensate the Contractor at the agreed placement rate of $12.00 / hour (approx. 220 ZAR / 50 min) for all completed and verified tutoring sessions. Class logs are audited and reconciled weekly based on automated ClassIn and VooV Meeting attendance records covering Monday 00:00 through Sunday 23:59.

2.2 Regular Payment Processing Schedule: Regular disbursements are processed and released every Friday by 18:00 Beijing Time (10:00 UTC) following the weekly reconciliation audit. The Contractor may elect to receive weekly payments or choose to accumulate balances over bi-weekly or monthly cycles.

2.5 Supported Channels: Cryptocurrency USDT (TRC-20 Network), Payoneer Account, and PayPal.

3. Platform Requirements & Hardware Standards

The Contractor warrants that they possess an active HD webcam (1080p recommended), noise-cancelling headset with microphone, and high-speed broadband internet with low latency. The Contractor agrees to maintain ClassIn and VooV software in current, updated versions.

4. Punctuality & Classroom Conduct

The Contractor agrees to enter assigned virtual classrooms at least five (5) minutes prior to scheduled start time, maintain professional educator attire, provide positive encouragement, and actively facilitate student dialogue throughout the lesson.

5. Class Cancellation Policy & Emergency Notice

Reliability is paramount to student retention. The Contractor must provide at least 48 hours advance written notice to the Company for any planned schedule adjustments. Unexcused absence or late cancellation without 48 hours notice may result in forfeiture of booking privileges.

6. Student Privacy & Data Confidentiality

The Contractor shall strictly protect the privacy and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) of all minors and students. Recording student sessions without express academic authorization, sharing student contact details, or contacting students outside official agency platforms is strictly prohibited.

7. Intellectual Property & Curriculum Materials

All lesson slides, digital interactive whiteboards, courseware, and pedagogical materials provided by the Company or its partner academies remain proprietary intellectual property and shall not be distributed, published, or repurposed.

8. Non-Circumvention & Agency Exclusivity

The Contractor agrees not to solicit, accept direct compensation from, or enter into independent private tutoring agreements with students, parents, or partner institutions introduced through Connect agent LLC during the term of this agreement and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter.

9. Independent Contractor Status & U.S. Tax Safe Harbor (IRC § 1441)

The parties acknowledge that this Agreement creates an independent contractor relationship, not an employer-employee relationship. The Contractor certifies that all tutoring services are performed outside the United States, exempting compensation from U.S. withholding tax pursuant to IRC § 862(a)(3) and § 1441. The Contractor agrees to provide IRS Form W-8BEN upon request.

10. Governing Law, Jurisdiction & Electronic Execution

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Wyoming, United States of America. Electronic execution of this Agreement through cryptographic digital signature holds full legal force and enforceability under the Wyoming Uniform Electronic Transactions Act and the federal ESIGN Act.