Job Discussion Forums

[JimmyJam]

I went to Wal-Mart yesterday (Sept.2) and I've met 6 Filipino Teachers asking for help:

1. Some of them have Z visa while most have L. They came to Changchun through a recruitment agent in the Philippines who promised them good working and living conditions. Base salary offered is 2,500rmb (duh) but the recruiter told them that after working partime it can possibly become double... (promises... promises...)
2. They stay together with 15 other Filipino Teachers in one apartment.
3. Two weeks already passed but still, the hiring agency here in Changchun has no job for 11 of them.
4. They paid their recruitment agent in the Ph from 70,000 to 100,000 pesos (forex:55.6php against usd).
5. They were offered a job in Changchun but the agency here sends them to remote counties teaching kindergarten, primary schools and/or money-making language centers.
6. Their visas and other important documents are kept by the agency as means of holding them..

it's getting colder and colder here in changchun... it would be best if they'll have jobs come winter time. but if their employer/agent can't give them a job, i'm afraid, the only option left is for them to go back to the Ph.. winter can go as low as minus 31 which is exactly the opposite of the Ph temp.

as of the moment, they are just hanging around waiting for their fate.. the company also recruited some western teachers through the internet.

If you happen to know one of them, or if you are one of them... i don't know... how do we stop this cycle? any ideas? or if you come here through the same agent but you have a far better condition... your success story might be of help..

[kev7161]

We still need 4 or 5 teachers at my school in Hangzhou. Maybe if they just showed up, they could get a job. Naaahhhh! They probably look too "asian". On the other hand, there are some filipinos singing and dancing at the local Banana Leaf restaurant - maybe they could be of some help.

(Upon reading this post, it seemed really negative toward your companions. I didn't mean it that way. What I meant was, my school (and indeed, many Chinese schools) is quite racist and doesn't like to hire foreign teachers that look "Chinese" or "Asian" - regardless of their English skills. As for the filipinos at the Banana Leaf, I meant maybe they have connections or suggestions on how to find some sort of work here, either temporarily or long-term.)

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

I will hire one for the winter until spring.

2,500 RMB a month?

Not a problem.

PM me.

[Roger]

Some 2 years back I noticed a Guangzhou maids service offering FILIPPINA domestic helpers in the mainlaned (where you can get a Chinese maid for RMB 500 a month...); the salary advertised wasl...RMB 3600 - the same amount as Hong Kong domestics make.

Maybe the Philippines ought to clamp down on their slave marketeers that sell Filippinos to just about anyone willing to pay - Iraq, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Hong Kong, and now the mainland!

[Sechelt]

I'm suddenly reminded of a mid-80's movie focusing on the plight of transient Mexican workers, in the S. Eastern US (can't think of the titile...). Anyway, taking advantage of people in despertate straights remains a problem the world over.
My only advice the the Philipinos (and anyone else, finding themselves in a similar situation) is to try to get out of the deal. This, of course, is much more complicated than it may appear. Making noise is the key. If you scream loud (and often) enough, someone will listen. As has been written on Dave's in the past, recruitors/schools can not keep passports, permits, etc. If you show someone the regs., they usually give-in. However, it may be necessary to take it a step, or two, further. When this route is taken, questions (many, many questions) will be asked. For most, this is not a problem. Technically, the PSB (Entry/Exit Admin.) and embassies/consulates can help. I say technically, because both entities loath getting involved in disputes of this nature. Especially consular staff. It' s a big deal for them to take action.
The point, in this case, may well be mute, as many of the teachers are on L Visas. In which case, it will likely be they who find themselves in hot water.
At any rate, I wish them the best in finding employment (with someone else), soon.

[JimmyJam]

Before giving the recent update on this issue, thanks to all who showed concern... by posting messages (through public posts and through private messages.) May you all be blessed!!!

1. Total of Filipino Teachers who arrived: 16 (in different batches recruited by two agents in the Philippines and sent to two agents here in Changchun)
2. They were asked to dye their hair to be more "saleable."
3. Just last week, 8 of the 15 teachers were sent to their respective schools thus presumed "HIRED" until further notice.
4. Thursday last week, those who were not employed and were dubbed UNEMPLOYABLE were told to go back to the Ph and to move out of the apartment to give way to some other western "teachers". They now stay in two different places.
5. Their agent in the Ph suggested to them to go back to the Ph because a another job is waiting for them in Thailand.
6. Some other Filipino Teachers are coming this week, so we heard...

It's not a big joke coming to this place and then after a week, you will be asked to go back to your country?.. spending more than 1,000usd.. its a big risk indeed!!!

[JimmyJam]

1. Most of the teachers decided to go back home. Some will try their luck in Hongkong.
2. Unfortunately, one lost her passport in a Mini-bus and two weeks already passed without her agency notifying the PSB. She also lost some other valuables.
3. Can everything just be charged to experience? Does this prove the benefit of being hired directly by Universities vs. Private Agencies?

[roundabout]

I'm a Filipino, so I feel for those teachers. While economic conditions are terrible in the Philippines--with no significant solution in sight--I would still urge those who want to work here in China to think twice. In the Philippines, your family takes care of you, and no matter how low your salary is, they are there to provide you moral and some financial support. And it's still familiar turf. Secondly, they look for so-called "native English speakers" in China; and the Philippines is not considered a "native English-speaking country" by the Chinese. You need to possess what they consider an internationally-recognized "accent" or neutral one. And they find that out by interviewing you over the phone, as in my case. I now work as a news anchor and copy editor for CCTV-9--the first and only foreign expert at the station who has not been born or educated in a "native English-speaking country." I'm lucky I guess. If you're from the Philippines and are seeking a higher-paying and more comfortable life in China, I suggest you reflect on your English skills before taking a crack at it.

[Gringo Greg]

I agree with the post above-I saw the recruitment ads in the Philippine newspapers. They make a lot of promises and then dont keep them. The teachers leave expecting to make good money in China and then are disappointed.

And they dont get no help from the Philippine Embassy. They are too busy kissing the feet of the Chinese.

Greg

[JimmyJam]

Both Roundabout and GringoGreg said it correctly!! I'm glad there is a Filipino on CCTV 9.. That means one more reason to watch that channel..

Accents... well I suppose, there is only clear English Pronunciation..

The Beijing Philippine Embassy, and any other Embassy i suppose, will not act on a certain matter unless there is a formal written complaint.. It's a protocol I guess. They have already made that a point... The thing on this issue is, NOBODY has ever filed a formal written complaint about recruiters of teachers for China... NOBODY has filed a complaint about their partner agencies here in China...

Two reasons I see why illegal recruiters thrive: 1. Nobody complained. 2. The recruiters/agencies have a strong connection somewhere out there..

[Ludwig]

[JimmyJam]

Upon arrival in HK, the immigration usually grants a 14-day tourist visa to most nationals of ASEAN.

Who knows what openings there are in HK...?

The latest news about the Filipino Teachers left in Changchun is:

1. They got their pay - 2500 rmb but the company deducted all their bills ie. water, electricity, phone, etc.. including the fee for the hairdresser who dyed their hair.. duh..

2. They wanted to split with the company but "somebody" from the Foreign Affairs of Changchun talked to them... maybe this company just hired him for that job.. Their passports are with this company so they can't move even a bit...

3. This company hired a Filipina to be their secretary... the pay: 1,200rmb or so I heard.. duh.. for sure, her passport is also with this company...

Guys, any damned good suggestions?

[Roger]

So, a Chinese "company" is illegally holding on to their passports... We have heard such things before, and we will no doubt hear such things time and again!

Sadly enough - the Philipinne diplomatic missions are as unhelpful as the Chinese police.
Your friends may find that starting a major domestic ruckus by involving the media would resolve some of their problems more effectively than any nice and civilised dialogue could ever do!

A letter to the Editor of a major nespaper based as far away as possible (never involve the media of the locale in which you are faced with some dilemma of sorts!), could perhaps be useful!

[vdrose]

i'm so sorry to heard that news for the fact that i am a filipino too.anyway i hope they are now in good situation.

[BluePinay]