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Q: Which government agency can I go to in order to report a very large International School?
I'm talking about a huge international school here, not some fly by night training center.
Background:
My spouse and myself were hired to teach at this place back in September of 2015. About a month in, they started violating the terms of the contract - for example, we were not supposed to have any office hours, and they imposed them on all foreign teachers due to one of the teachers having a bad attitude. Yeah, I don't get it either.
I no longer work at the place - I wasn't going to put up with it. My spouse, however, although an excellent, certified teacher, isn't white, and Chinese people are nuts about race, which I guess is no secret. Were both U.S. passport holders, but it's a lot easier for me to move, and I did. She is still there. She has a Z visa.
The school is also obliged by law to provide social welfare, including health insurance, and they do not. Not only that, they are now refusing to pay for any sick days, even with a note - I understand this also violates Chinese law.
Additionally, my old (ex-pat) boss there (who has also since moved on) informed me that they were not able to give him official receipts for his salary, which he needed to show his government as proof of income while applying for permanent residency for his Chinese wife. They also will not give such receipts to any other foreign teacher.
Anyway, if someone could point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it.
-Buster-
7 years 15 weeks ago in Visa & Legalities - Shenzhen
There is this magical word that most Chinese employees and employers don't know. This magical word is "No".
It's my favourite word.
Can you work on your days off? No.
You're sick but you need to come to work. No.
You need to do extra hours that aren't in your contract and we will/won't pay you for them. No.
Threats of fines? No. No fines for me. If 1 yuan is missing out of my pay packet I won't be coming in the next day.
Of course I'm very hard working and professional in all aspects of my job and I'm very accommodating.
Just no bullshit thanks.
Zethe:
Yup, and it doesn't hurt to record all of those conversations/meetings on video (secretely) with your phone in hand....matter of fact I do that EVERY time any Chinese boss has a convo with me.
nzteacher80:
I keep a diary.
When anything goes down I make an entry, write down what was said and note the time and date. It's a good idea for any job.
Enter 'SAFEA' in search above for address and contact number of Foreign Expert Bureau in your Province.
Data out of our link are Provincial headquarters, where you'll most likely get an English speaking Chinese agent.
This is the Headquarters of the same office, which issues Working permits and Foreign expert certificates to foreigners working in China.
I dial them fairly often, usually because of employers Contract disrespect and I always (5 times at least) received prompt help.
Be polite at talk with Chinese agent! Best IMO, is to ask for help and advice! Good luck!
Unless you have video evidence or something the media can use, then you are wasting your time. That's how China works.
#2, Yes something Fishy.
Zethe:
This.
I think one of the only reasons SAFEA helped me was I had video proof of my boss saying she will do things in direct violation of the law...and of course I provided copies of stamped 'disciplinary' papers that violated my contract and law as well.
You need solid proof and a Chinese person to speak with/for you won't hurt, either.
icnif77:
Not by my experience @Zethe!
I've never presented any proof (as you), just my talk and email to the agent few times.
I also ask many times 'Is this right (what School does)?'.
I am guessing, SAFEA's agent makes call to the School's Principal (or whomever) and 'investigate' on her/his own and put things in order.
As Incif said above, go to SAFEA.
NB: you don't get a 'receipt' for your salary... you get receipts when you give something to someone, and the receipt acknowledges that it's been given in accordance with what was expected. You may get a "payment advice" - but those are rare in China.
Also, demand the receipts from the tax department for all taxes paid on your behalf. They will probably refuse.. that's fine, because then you just go to the local tax office to request them, and... OMG nothing's been paid! This could possibly cause a shit-storm!
RE: office hours. If it's not written in the contract, then don't do them! If they 'demand', then don't do them. If they deduct pay or fire you, sue them (ie, got to SAFEA/Foreign Experts Bureau, and tell them they've breached contract).
RE: health insurance... unless it's in the contract, not necessarily. You are required to have insurance, but you may be required to buy it yourself (but it's a poor school that would do that).
RE: sick days - yes, illegal!
There is this magical word that most Chinese employees and employers don't know. This magical word is "No".
It's my favourite word.
Can you work on your days off? No.
You're sick but you need to come to work. No.
You need to do extra hours that aren't in your contract and we will/won't pay you for them. No.
Threats of fines? No. No fines for me. If 1 yuan is missing out of my pay packet I won't be coming in the next day.
Of course I'm very hard working and professional in all aspects of my job and I'm very accommodating.
Just no bullshit thanks.
Zethe:
Yup, and it doesn't hurt to record all of those conversations/meetings on video (secretely) with your phone in hand....matter of fact I do that EVERY time any Chinese boss has a convo with me.
nzteacher80:
I keep a diary.
When anything goes down I make an entry, write down what was said and note the time and date. It's a good idea for any job.
