Job Discussion Forums

Justateacher · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 24

I signed a contract for employment at a University in Guangzhou. After signing it and starting work, I was told that I would have to pay for my visa and health examination as well as my insurance. My contract makes no reference to the University paying for this. Was I too quick at signing or are my employers required to provide thes?.

If you have any reference that says that they must pay please provide it.

Thanks group.

China.Pete · Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 547

If your contract does not stipulate that your employer will pay for health insurance, visa fees, or health exams, then you are probably stuck paying for them yourself. Better employers will often pick up these costs irrespective of what the contract says. But bad ones will generally use the lack of such language to avoid paying these and other costs associated with employing foreigners. You could try to negotiate some of these things. Or, you could put up with paying them for now, and hope to negotiate a better deal upon contract renewal. But a really cheapscate employer will simply look for another FT who will accept whatever employment conditions are on offer.

brsmith15 · Joined: 12 May 2003 Posts: 1142 Location: New Hampshire USA

I have to pay for all these plus my airfare, but it's all stated in my contract.

Steppenwolf · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 1769

It's unusual but there is no legal basis on which you can contest their change of tune..
I knew a German kindergarten teacher married to a Chinese woman; since he made 4 times as much as she did in salary he went along with the kindergarten's requirement that he pay half of his visa cost.
It was a bigger deal in those days because the resident's permit was a separate booklet that had to be applied for separately and the work visa in those days was more expensive.

gugelhupf · Joined: 24 Jan 2004 Posts: 575 Location: Jabotabek

If you had to pay visa costs (plus residence permit etc), how much would it cost all in?

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

I don't think that you were too quick in signing so no fault on your part, however it is a good issue for others to be watchful of.

If you are working for a SAFEA recognized organization then you may have some recourse through SAFEA as the guidelines there try to ensure a minimum standard for foreign employees which covers such things as accomodation, return flights, insurances etc. You can see an English language list of SAFEA recognized schools in Guangdong here.

As your contract does not stipulate that the school will pay you will likely find that you are going to have to pay yourself.

englishgibson · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 4345

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

Post no bills

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

SAFEA guidelines do state (I believe, but don't hold me to it..check for yourself) that work units are suppose to provide travel for you and your dependents..but because it is a voluntary organization..there is no authority to make the member schools abide by the suggestions...but English..I do believe you have hit the nail on the head as to one poster's actually experience...being that he didn't even know (evidenced by his post concerning the matter) what was printed in the back of the FEC book...