Job Discussion Forums

PyRoT · Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 42

Teatime, if you are right, then this country is quite terrible. I feel really bad and unhappy that this guy is going to get away rich after being such a cruel and exploitative piece of shit. Why does the gov care so much about our VISAs if they don't care about their people's lives? I wish there was something that could be done but I guess there ain't.

I won't be moving schools because I will be leaving China soon. I stayed at this school as long as I did despite very poor treatment just 'cos I am getting experience teaching in a multinational company.

redpiston · Joined: 30 Sep 2007 Posts: 338

Visas are for the foreign residence and have no nevermind on the civilian population.

Teatime of Soul · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 905

PyRot, sometimes, as guests, the best we can do besides doing our paid services well, is try to serve as a good example that others might want to follow.

Sometimes, we have to take people and places where we find them, as we find them.

Part of the success of the Peace Corps is that they are not political. They do great and practical things, but do it without being crusaders or moralizers.

Bringing fresh water to a village by installing a town pump and well and saving the women two hours of water carrying every day is a noble thing.

When you jump into politics and processes you don't fully understand, you can cause unintended consequences. You might feel you are doing good. But one day, you'll leave. And memories can be long.

But the villagers still remember and praise those Peace Corps workers who brought fresh water to their village a generation ago. Sometimes, productive change, and nobility, are found in small things.

malu · Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 1344 Location: Sunny Java

Mpho · Joined: 30 Aug 2004 Posts: 58

Teatime for Soul wrote about the Peace Corps not being political. I served in the Peace Corps in Africa for two years. But let me tell you they are very political. I tried to mail my absentee ballot, but it was torn up as well as those of two others in our country. Reason #1 I vote Libertarian and they vote Republican. The country director was the former Democratic Committewoman for all of Michigan. When I reported this as did the others, we were told that the diplomatic pouch was full and ours would not get into the next pouch until after the election.

I became friends with the Prime Minister of the country in my job (creating jobs for disadvantaged all over the country through the Catholic Church). My supervisor continually harrangued me, because the Prime Minister was from the wrong political party and that the Peace Corps didn't support him but would like the other party in power.

They also played the political money game with currency transfers, etc.

I can go on and on.

Mpho

patsy · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 179 Location: china

"Be a good example for others to follow?" You've got to be kidding me. The local teachers would be the example you should follow , they put up with abuse ad bad treatment with a smile better than any foreigner ever could. Being a good example and then some is "your duty", nothing special.

Teatime of Soul · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 905

PyRoT · Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 42

I am unsure about the VISA comment or the most recent "lead by example" post. I don't think the teachers here show a good example by accepting exploitation with a smile. If they at least done away with their smiles, my boss couldn't pretend that there is a happy team spirit at work (He told me he keeps the teachers there for so many days so they can get close together, build team spirit and love the school).

Anyway, I don't understand why it seems like such a hopeless thing to try and get such bad and dodgy bosses to answer to the 'law'. Maybe no-body has tried and that is the reason for the pessimism? Or is China truly so lost? I mean, having so much power, they could surely enforce some basic rights for all workers...

Interestingly,. my boss did get a 10,000 RMB fine a few days ago for simply not having EXIT stickers around our small school (apparently creating safety hazard). Such small things are enforced. and China has no trouble locking up political dissidents and other mostly inconsequential things. However, people like my boss who break many laws and are partially responsible for the rich-poor gap issues are left alone? If I was caught working on an F Visa, would he punished at all?