Job Discussion Forums

[fitzpatrick_thomas]

Recently I have had Visa probems in Russia and have been told that this is due to the high taxes imposed on schools who employ native english speakers - some school do not get Visas for their teachers as this would mean paying the tax.

This is illegal of course and causes a lot of problems for us teacher in Russia.

I would like to hear from anyone who knows about the Russian tax system and especially from anyone who knows how I would go about reporting a school which is obvoiusly evading its tax - in particular
The London School in Sochi.

Jokes are welcome but try to make them funny rather than just plain
infantile.

[Nexus]

I'm not sure what you hope to achieve by reporting the school. Am I right in thinking you work at the London School and they're not arranging your visa? If that's the case, then I'd just walk. There's little point working for a school otherwise.

I gather the tax police don't mess about and if you are the one who gets involved in reporting the school (and you're working there) I would imagine a whole lot of questions will be asked and you'll probably end up being in the thick of it. You don't want to be that man.

If you want to get revenge, then I fully empathise - in fact I'm all for anyone who gets one over on a school that's ripping them off. I guess you could walk first, then (get someone to) make an anonymous phone call.

I can't help you with the tax system, I'm lost when it comes to the tax system in my own country!

[bobs12]

Unless you're planning leaving Russia for a safe destination before rattling the can - don't. It'll only cause them the minor inconvenience of having to pay the inspector to go away and leave them alone, and if you're still in the area, it would be cheaper to pay someone to make you go away and leave them alone than to have to pay the taxman again.

Better to report them to your embassy/consulate. Trust me, some schools do much worse things with teachers and visas!

[maruss]

These guys are right.......Even though I fully agree with you and understand how you feel about being cheated-DON'T and I repeat DON'T try to cause problems for people in Russia,especially if you are a foreigner and don't have very powerful connections where it matters!
Even the local people often still use 'other means' than legal ones to settle disputes instead of going to court etc!Use your imagination about what that could entail!
I cannot see how you can win my friend,believe you me so if you intend staying in Russia, just put it down to expereience!The country is too corrupt to do otherwise!

[bobs12]

I know how p'd off you must feel- something similar or worse has undoubtedly happened to all of us.

There's a worse end of that stick, where your school 'takes care' of your equally dodgy visa invitation (most of us work here illegally mate - we'd pay a fortune in taxes ourselves if it weren't the case) which often as not means you can't get out of the country without the leave of the school.

Best is just to share the information with others and let them make their decisions as to whether to work there or not, but I'm afraid there's nothing you can do legally or illegally. You'll probably find that that won't put many people off anyway as it's standard fare for all of us here.

Not meaning to start an argument, but why would you expect us to make 'infantile' jokes in advance? The only immaturity running in this thread is the petulance of someone who can't quite hack the reality of working in Russia as a fugitive foreigner.

[Nexus]

[bobs12]

Weird PM from this guy, subject 'petulance or masochism':

[bobs12]

This one's been severely traumatised, if it weren't so sad it'd be funny!

Latest PM -

Subject: Like your big Russian boyfriend - right ?

[Nexus]

Hey Bob, what's your beef with the guy?

I think it's getting a little 'off base' to post his PMs on the board and make belittling comments about him not being able to 'handle it like the big boys.' Was that the subject line reference about your boyfriend?

Russia just isn't everyone's cup of tea, and if he felt he was in a dodgy school it's his decision if he wants to leave. I think it was decent of him to let everyone know about it so they can be forewarned.

I've never been to Sochi so I can't really comment but I've been to quite a few provincial cities and I wouldn't want to spend a great deal of time in these places myself if the school was trying to jack me. Don't you agree?

[bobs12]

Absolutely, but making reference to those of us who don't follow his lead as 'fools' seems a bit harsh, don't you? The PM thing was just too funny not to be laughed at. I can see the guy is traumatised, but there's no need to belittle us in order to make himself feel better, is there?

Okay, claws retracted Mr. Nexus

[Nexus]