Job Discussion Forums

NeilBarker · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 60

Sorry guys - long time since I used this site and navigation and search seem to have become very awkward. I'm replying to a message about the salary being 'changeable'.
What Echo means is that you can change all your salary into western currency. She doesn't mean your salary is variable. Of course, it won't say this in your contract because it's unofficial.
But you can change as much as you like - no worries.

william wallace · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2869 Location: in between

Would that be Beijing Echo, the early 20's recruiter ?

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

flutterbayou · Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 244

Although standard contracts stipulate that 70% of the salary can be converted, the practice varies, depending on what area you live.

I recently opened an account at a Bank of China in Shanghai and was told that I could exchange up to $1,500 daily (!!). When I questioned this high amount, my translator confirmed that I could, indeed, do this nowadays, and without my foreign expert certificate. With BofC you can easily have your salary converted once it has been deposited in your account.

A few years ago up in Dong Bei, I needed to take my contract, foreign expert booklet, and pay receipts each time I wanted to convert.

flutterbayou · Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 244

Although standard contracts stipulate that 70% of the salary can be converted, the practice varies, depending on what area you live.

I recently opened an account at a Bank of China in Shanghai and was told that I could exchange up to $1,500 daily (!!). When I questioned this high amount, my translator confirmed that I could, indeed, do this nowadays, and without my foreign expert certificate. With BofC you can easily have your salary converted once it has been deposited in your account.

A few years ago up in Dong Bei, I needed to take my contract, foreign expert booklet, and pay receipts each time I wanted to convert.

eslstudies · Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 1061 Location: East of Aden

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

Is there an echo in here?

SnoopBot · Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 740 Location: USA

One thing about most positions in Beijing, you don't need to convert your salary.

The high cost of Beijing and the lower salary you make basically covers expenses.

Therefore, you don't need to convert any of your salary because it will be totally spent.

Any RMB saved can be converted at the airport. Expect to save not very much on a >5000 RMB a month salary unless you sit in your room and never do anything.