Job Discussion Forums

[lynn Cochrane]

I was wondering if someone could assist me with some concerns about a job offer in Taiwan.

1) Even though I was offered this job a month ago I have yet to see a contract. I was never told I would have one sent to me so I finally asked to have it emailed or faxed so I could see it and sign it. This makes me a bit uncomfortable because I get the impression that if I hadn't asked I would never have seen a contract and may have ended up apart of something that I didn't agree to.

2) Also, a month ago I asked about medical coverage & was told that I would receive coverage 4 months after I received my ARC. I later asked about coverage I would receive prior to this time but my question has gone unanswered. I'm very concered about this because I have asthma and allergies so I know I will need coverage. Also, I know people who work for schools in Taiwan, other than the one I would be working at, and these people have always had coverage, arranged by their employers who also pay half the cost. Should I be concerned that my school is not offering to give me the same type of coverage? Or is that issue one that varies from school to school?

3) As well, the recruiter of this school told me to get a travel visa & they would get me a work visa when I get there. I have heard of other teachers having trouble with this as some schools in Asia have not followed through on this promise and they end up teaching in Asia illegally. Should I be asking for a work visa before I go?

Any information that anyone could provide me with would be helpful. Thanks for your time.

[nomadder]

I`m sure you posted on the Taiwan forum right...

From my experiences in Japan -Q1 is the biggest concern. Q3 might be different in Taiwan as opposed to Japan as many people say to go to Taiwan and get the job(and hence visa there) but my friend just went over and she got her visa before leaving with her pre-arranged job.

[Wolf]

These guys might have some answers, and also you might try asking them.

I've never worked in Taiwan, but as you can see I've done some research. I get the feeling that you won't be the first teacher in the history of Taiwan to be asked to work before being issued a work visa. Don't be surprised if they ask you to work right away; before your visa comes through.

Have you worked in East Asia before (Taiwan, manland China, South Korea, Japan?) In many of these places a contract is liable to change. The working conditions written into your contract may not be what you will actually experience.

But, don't listen to (only) me.