Job Discussion Forums

[anubistaima]

I have a contract with a school until next February. However, I've been having lots of trouble with them and they're directly blackmailing me (either I accept some REALLY bad conditions or they will cancel my visa/registration, report me to government, etc.). I don't want to leave Russia before February, because that's when my next teaching job, in Vietnam, starts. There's another school who would gladly take over the "sponsorship" until February. Can I actually change employers without having to leave Russia? Either legally or not, at this point it doesn't matter. Just wondering if there's a way around this.

[SunnyLee]

Good news is that you are probably not in as bad a spot as you think. For starters your school can only have your visa cancelled if they have your passport and visa physically in their hands and then pass them to the authorities. If you have your passport and visa, they cannot touch you. Just leave them in the lurch now and don't worry.

Report you to the government?! That's a laugh. Chances are they'd soil themselves if you turned the tables and threatened to report them if they do not furnish you with your tax reciepts, Russian language contract, work book, health insurance details etc. and all your other legal rights they have probably not informed you of. No company wants an investigation from the tax-office boys or any other government ministry.

There is a Labour Code in Russia, and it applies to all employees, local or not. So, unless your school can provide a sound legal reason for terminating your visa, they wouldn't dare start a legal process. Were they to be so stupid, you simply appeal(for free!) and lo and behold February will arrive and away you go on your merry way.

Hope that helps