Job Discussion Forums

jeffinflorida · Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 2:53 am Post subject:

I will reply to Malsol as follows: In China the Chinese are always right. End Of Story. There is never the FTs side that counts, the school is always correct. It is ALWAYS a MISUNDERSTANDING - even when they outright lie to you. And they always have that stupid vacant smile on their face when they are lying to you.

To the others who have posted, I thiank you for your support. Finding a job is never an issue for me I know where to look and am not living on what I make in China so I can cover my expenses whatever I chose to do.

HFG and Sgt. Killjoy, thanks for the pms!

Chufang, once I learned that they openly lied to me I started on plan b.

But, King's scammed me and lied to me and has a host of FTs working on F visas and tourist visa so they next move is up to the PSB.

I'll keep you posted.

Malsol · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1976 Location: Lanzhou

I stated my appreciation for this valuable thread but that post is now only preserved in cases where others quoted it.

I added that I thought active engagement through dialogue with employers encouraged to state their side would also be valuable.

I have been overruled. I can accept that. But why attack my suggestion by attacking me?

That shows the very immaturity that I believe leads to many of the "misunderstandings."

jeffinflorida · Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 11:52 am Post subject:

Ok Malsol, I should not have resorted to name calling...

The "center director" called me today and... ready for this... Threatened to report ME to the police for working illegally in his school.!!!!
He said if I go to the police then he will report me and they will arrest me for being an illegal worker.

I called the US Consulate in Gungzhou and asked them for advice in this situation. They said the PSB can fine me for illegal working yes.

So I would like input please. So I risk alot by going to the PSB to report this situation?

Serious input please. I don't feel like getting stopped at the border on my next crossing...

HunanForeignGuy · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 989 Location: Shanghai, PRC

Jeff,

Under NO circumstances should you go to the P*B -- none at all. First, the owner of the school undoubtedly has his own personal relations with them; second, you are in SZ, I think, and that is wild west country down there in terms of what goes on with the FTs; third, as I wrote you privately, just get another job and move. You should have no problems with that -- there is a plethora of jobs in GD -- without a doubt.

In spite of what some misguided folk write around here, I have never, ever known anyone who has gone to the P*B and come out victorious - none -- and I have been around here a while.

Just move on as quickly as possible and cauterize the wound as best you can.

All the best,

HFG

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

There has been at least one post from someone working illegally enquiring about reporting the employer to the PSB. Consider the fact that you are working illegally because your current FEC states that your legal employer is supposed to be Quanzhou Normal University, and King's in Xiamen is not legally allowed to hire FT's. As such, going to the PSB will do absolutely no good. As far as the PSB is concerned, you are a foreigner breaking the law and that is a more serious matter than a language training centre illegally hiring FT's. At worst, King's will probably just get a slap on the wrist while you will more than likely get interrogated, fined and/or imprisoned, then deported and have your name blacklisted on the province PSB's computer system for life.

Go back to the university you had run away from, return the advance airfare you didn't return, apologize, and ask VERY nicely for a release letter. More and more regions and provinces now require a release letter from the previous employer. Without one, your likelihood of working legally in China will be almost as good as nil.

Malsol · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1976 Location: Lanzhou

Seriously, get out of the Province as quickly and quietly as possible. Move as far North as you can, if you are in the South, or visa versa.

Seriously, run, do not walk, do not stop at the PSB for an exit interview.

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

f your current FEC is for Quanzhou Normal University you may be facing a problem if leaving the country and if they canceled your RP.....doesn't happen much as many RP are actually the work product of the licence holder and may not be easily accessible by the school, but a Normal University most likely handles their own hires and could have cancelled your RP..which will mean fines at the border..

I would not go back to a school I ditched and ask for a release letter...you will have better luck writing your own and lifting a stamp from another document..but that is a skill few FTs have..so the only thing you can do as I see it is "make a break for the border" asking the embassy to help if possible..I don't have much faith in them either....or armed with another invitation letter head towards HK and see if you can fast talk yourself out of any border problems that might ensue..

But your post is invaluable in that it does show the problems encountered with not finishing a contract or a legal breach being sought..

Ger · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 334

Apparently Kings and York are two separate entities, (that is, if the following PM, which I received from Ma Zhen Ping, is to be believed).

From: mazhenping
To: Ger
Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:41 pm

Subject: Don't talk through your ass.

No, Kings is nothing to do with York.

We actually provide housing, Z visas and medical insurance for our teachers.

Suggest you look into the facts before smearing our name without paying due heed to the most caring and legal employer in China, you *beep* *beep*!

_________________
As a wise man once said to me............ erm, what was it again.

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

If that is the PM sent to your it would exhibit a most unprofessional behavior from Ma Zhen Ping that I am not sure if I would believe their denial of not be connected.

mazhenping · Joined: 11 Jul 2005 Posts: 9 Location: under a rock

In hindsight, I'd like to apologise publicly to ger for those remarks, perhaps I did fly off the handle a little quickly.

However, having worked for 4 years to build a school and being an employer who does actually care about and put the teachers' interest first, I hope you can understand that I don't wish to be associated in the slightest with rogue employers. Mud sticks and having read these message boards regularly for the last 5 years, I have seen names blackened and reputations shattered in an instant.

I was previously employed by a chain school here and suffered many of the things I read about regularly here, so go to great lengths to ensure that people who work at York don't have to endure the same.

That's all.

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

That said....it is good to put the record straight ..and I do understand the plight of operating a biz in the PRC..one of the reasons I have never wanted to go with a school is that it is shark infested waters..but to my surprise..so is the motorcycle pond...

I have never heard of York, but in my book your attention to this post goes a long way..good luck...

Chinateachertim · Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Planet Earth

I have lost the purpose of this thread so lets go back and examine the original posters intent on informing the PSB of illegal employment practices in XiaMen City China.

What does he expect to gain by informing the PSB?

Was he actually a Victim of Fraud perpetrated by Kings English XiaMen branch?

I have lived in XiaMen City for 10 years and I can tell you that if a Foreigner has been victimized by a Chinese company the Police WILL act in your behalf. I might also add and quite swiftly. XiaMen is a window city to the world of chinese culture and this image cannot be tarnished, especially by a chinese citizen. ANNNNNND with all due respect to all of our "helpful" collegues, How can a foreigner be expected to know all of the laws of china which are changing almost on a monthly basis.

Examine your evidence. Do you have proof a being defrauded? If so march into the PSB or better yet the local police office for the district of where Kings is located and make a written complaint. Same. Same as in the US of A. Then call the consul and inform them of your actions. If you are detained by the police they MUST help you. Lastly inform the American press of the stand for Justice by a lone American in a foreign and hostile land. Having done all three sit back and wait.

If you have only had your feathers ruffled and have not been a victim of a crime in china then. SUCK IT UP AND MOVE ON.

If you need assistance immediatly and the consul is moving too slow e-mail me and I will give you my personal contact numbers. I am in Xiamen now.

Good luck and God Speed
Stand up for yourself there is no reason to think that a foreigner has no recouse to negative situations in China contrary to the opinion of the peanut gallery. Do not under any cercumstance be intimidated by a Chinese employer. Understand?

jeffinflorida · Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:28 am Post subject:

Here is the fraud that I am claiming from King's English - while in the US they said they would get me the legal documents to work in China. When I arrived they said that they could not get them but were hoping to have them by, June. then it became July. Now it is August.

When I confronted the HR person who told me this she said she said "probably" get them for me but she never meant that they were authorised to get them. She said it was a "misunderstanding"...

So they outright lied to me and wanted me to work illegally on a tourist visa. I refused and called them liars...

So that ended our relationship. Until THEY threatned to have me arrested for working illegally in their school.

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Outsida · Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 8:51 am Post subject:

Heh, I applied for a Z visa before leaving Australia. Sent all the proper docs and everything. Ticked the right box. Sent the fee.

My passport came back with an L visa.

Seems that Chinese inefficiency is not contained within China. I thought that maybe, just maybe, the embassy staff would be a little sharper than your average Zhou, but nope.

Anyway, got it changed over no probs once here.