Job Discussion Forums

[AEON2007]

Thanks all again- especially to The Great Wall of Whiner!
To be fair to me, its not like I had my hand in my pocket, ready to pay! I knew it was strange but just wanted that confirmed as I'm here on my own. I've had a lot of contact with this recruiter so wanted to be sure before turning round and saying 'screw you,'- of course I'll have to do so now.
The payment would only have been post getting a job and was presented more as for putting me up in a hotel, providing extra services - and given quite the hard sell. I'd read plenty about the perils of recruiters but thought I knew best, naively I guess. My experience is in Japan so am not so used to these 'people'.

[Optional_Toaster]

Yeah, if they really want you they will front the costs of a hotel for a few days. In Korea, I had an employer who put me up in a sweet hotel for two weeks at his own expense before dumping me in a moldy basement apartment. At least he paid for it!

[AEON2007]

In case anyone is interested, these are the last 3 mails of our communication, in reverse order (middle one from me!):



I feel a clarification and an apology for the misunderstanding are in order.

China as I�m sure you�re aware has a rather unique political climate, as such our company does not charge fees to Chinese companies as if we did we would not be able to act solely in the interest of our clients. The service we provide is real and absolutely necessary as the way Chinese companies operate are not up to the standards of the rest of the world, the expectations of Chinese companies on their employees is unreasonable (as Chinese staff work horrendous hours and for next to nothing), our role is not only as an agent, but as a liaison service between the company and our client ensuring that the company abides by their agreements and provides the best working environment for our clients.

China is also far from being international, even the simplest of tasks are frustrating and in some cases impossible unless you have the assistance of a Chinese speaking person, there are also many pitfalls, scams and dangers that unless you�re made aware of and guarded against could lead to big losses.

_________ Ltd was set up by foreigners to help foreigners looking for good employment opportunities in China, and being able to offer a full support service that ensures our clients interests always come first.

Our staff are on call 24 hours a day and are fluent in both English and Chinese, we are there day and night to ensure your safety, comfort and of course your rights.

The money you spent on your flight to China we would have negotiated for the company to reimburse upon the completion of your contract (this is standard procedure).
Medical insurance etc will be covered by the company that employs you, however hand holding, language training, finding of accommodation and orientation is not.

I was planning to send through our standard agreement for your perusal before you left the U.K, but before I had given you the green light to come over according to our usual procedures, you were already on the plane.

It�s truly unfortunate the way this turned out, as I feel the job at Tencent really is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I do think you�re suited to it.

If nothing else, let me buy you a beer since you�re in the neighborhood.

Regards,

_____________________________

I'm sorry but no, I don't agree that a 10,000 RMB payment is 'no bother' or acceptable. Even if I'm paid 15,000, that will likely fall to below 10,000 after rent, tax and essentials. 25% of my net income is significant, especially when I've just paid to come to China.

Recruiters always exclusively recover costs from the company, not the employee, and the other hand-holding details should be covered by employers. I could find a hotel for less than a thousand pounds for a week or two. A payment of this size is unusual to the extent that I never even thought to question its existence before coming here. I think that you were morally obliged to make things like this clear from the beginning of our contact.

For these reasons, I'm out. I'm afraid that I don't want anything to do with such a business.

__________________________________________

If you need to come through tomorrow, let me know. Being a �tourist� in China isn�t as easy as it sounds (although I�m sure you can handle yourself).

If however you do decide to cross the border before Sunday, please arrange to meet me first as I have a Chinese cellphone for you with all our numbers on it.

We only charge a fee when we land you a job and you pay it off when you get your salary so it�s really no bother, our fee is 2,500RMB a month for the first four months and that�s that. What this gives you is firstly a job, secondly a weeks� accommodation (or more if needed), training and orientation, Mandarin classes, hand holding, help with everything you need such as the mandatory registration with the police within 24hours of entering China (not as scary as it sounds), help finding an apartment, opening a bank account, constant liaison services between you and your new employer etc etc, this is why it�s better that we sit down and discuss exactly what you need so that we can provide the best service for you. Since the minimum salary that we expect you to earn is 12,000RMB a month I�m sure that you�d agree our fees are reasonable.

Please let me know what your plans are so that I can adjust accordingly.

[vikuk]

Anybody have any idea of who this is???????????????????????
These mails reek of amateur

[AEON2007]

I wasnt going to say but actually, others need to be aware of the situation with these recruiters: they're Bridging Borders, operating out of Shenzhen.

[norwalkesl]

Paying for a job is a scam in NA, the same in China I would assume.

If you work with a recruiter, you should pay nothing to them.

[tommchone]

AEON2007 mentioned that the recruiters who charge teachers are breaking the law. I would like to know more about that. A friend of an acquaintance in China who called a school for information told me AFTER I SIGNED THE CONTRACT that I owed him 1400 RMB. I refused; quite rightly, I believe. He hasn't pressed the issue, but I did tell his friend (my acquaintance) that I didn't appreciate being blindsided AFTER the fact, that fees and wages are usually discussed BEFORE any "work" is done. In case he does approach me, I would like to be able to refer to any applicable laws.

[tommchone]

Made a mistake, it was The Great Wall of Whiner who said it was illegal.

[mat chen]

The best jobs in China are bought. These jobs usually pay about 3,000 rmb. There are two salaries in China the disclosed salary and the hidden salary. The hidden salary is the important one. Ask the last mayor of Shenzhen?

[Adeem]

Did anyone else notice the constant reference to 'hand-holding' in this offer. Even for someone who is new to the game and a little nervous, this surely must sound rather pompous and insulting (?)

The service that they offer is an interesting one, but only if they guarantee you getting the job at the stated rate. Many people who are working on 5000y/month for 20-25 hours a week would probably have appreciated this help when they started out.

Of course, the jobs are there to find for anyone if they look hard enough, and are lucky, so I am in two minds.....

[norwalkesl]

[relaxtischina]

To be fair to this recruiter dont you think folks they make a good point re who pays = whos interest they are more likley to act in. It seems that most recruiters are usually critisized for acting often only in the interests of the school because they after all are coffing up the service fee. If this company offers a good service proven over time and their opertion is considered by the athorities legal ( or legal enough ) then I say good luck to them I hope they can help many teachers avoid the China newbee pitfalls that are all to common here

[mat chen]

My experience here in China with the bought job is that it makes the purchaser lazy. You see it everywhere in China where people are just doing nothing because the job was bought. So the rich sods can come and do nothing in the classroom. It's a great idea.