|
Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Nils
Joined: 25 Jan 2011
Posts: 1
|
 Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 6:22 pm Post subject: What assurances should I request from my school? |
 |
|
I have received a job offer from Russia, but it has some red flags. Notably, it would involve me entering Russia on a (three week?) tourist visa, then reentering from Ukraine on a (three month?) work visa, and then reentering again from Ukraine on a renewable (one year?) work visa. Also, I would have to leave very quickly, perhaps within a week.
The school will offer visa assistance, airfare, room, a small salary, and possibly medical. I don't think I'm going to get paid under the table, since they did mention income taxes.
The person offering this job is a mutual friend of at least two of my friends, so I'm not worried that I'm being scammed. However, I am a little worried that there may be some misunderstandings or other problems that crop up. There is an air of--er--disorganization about the offer. :-)
What should I request from my employer to reduce my risk? A signed contract? What clauses I should ensure are in the contract? I am planning to request references from other foreigns, but this is a pretty small school, so there might not be many.
I have read about other teachers who successfully did the Ukrainian-border-visa-dance. Is there anything about this process I should know beforehand? Is it a big problem to work for a few weeks on a tourist visa?
Thanks. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
smithrn1983
Joined: 23 Jul 2010
Posts: 320
Location: Moscow
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 7:32 am Post subject: Re: What assurances should I request from my school? |
|
|
| Nils wrote: |
| I have received a job offer from Russia, but it has some red flags. Notably, it would involve me entering Russia on a (three week?) tourist visa, then reentering from Ukraine on a (three month?) work visa, and then reentering again from Ukraine on a renewable (one year?) work visa. Also, I would have to leave very quickly, perhaps within a week. |
I've heard of schools bringing people in on shorter visas (usually three month working visas) and then converting them later, but the one week tourist visa is new to me.
The fact that you would have to arrive so quickly makes me think someone pulled a runner on them, and that's usually a very bad sign. Has this offer been in the making for a while? Have there been other delays the school now wishes to make up for? Or do they simply want you there NOW with no explanation?
| Nils wrote: |
The school will offer visa assistance, airfare, room, a small salary, and possibly medical. I don't think I'm going to get paid under the table, since they did mention income taxes. |
This doesn't mean a whole lot in Russia. There's still a chance you'll be paid in cash, and that it will be under the table. However, it's the employers responsibility to pay your income taxes.
I also think your employer has to provide medical in Russia, but am not totally sure of this one. Perhaps someone else can elaborate a bit more on this point.
| Nils wrote: |
The person offering this job is a mutual friend of at least two of my friends, so I'm not worried that I'm being scammed. However, I am a little worried that there may be some misunderstandings or other problems that crop up. There is an air of--er--disorganization about the offer.  |
Welcome to Russia. You're going to find this just about everywhere in the country. Take a deep breath, and relax.
| Nils wrote: |
What should I request from my employer to reduce my risk? A signed contract? What clauses I should ensure are in the contract? I am planning to request references from other foreigns, but this is a pretty small school, so there might not be many. |
They haven't given you a contract? Under Russian law they're required to have signed copies of the contract, both in Russian and in English. You might be signing it when you arrive, but you should at least see it beforehand. If not, don't take the offer!
As for the other teachers, I always ask to contact someone who works for the school currently. If they won't let you do this, walk away.
| Nils wrote: |
I have read about other teachers who successfully did the Ukrainian-border-visa-dance. Is there anything about this process I should know beforehand? Is it a big problem to work for a few weeks on a tourist visa?
|
Other than being completely illegal, and putting you in danger of being deported if anyone finds out, no. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
coledavis
Joined: 21 Jun 2003
Posts: 1838
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 1:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Even if they give you a contract, that does not provide legitimate support if in fact you are breaking in the law. (Think about it: Teacher: 'My contract says I can break the law'. Police officer: 'Well you and your company are nicked'.) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
maruss
Joined: 18 Mar 2003
Posts: 1145
Location: Cyprus
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 9:26 pm Post subject: Good advice..... |
|
|
And if you are nicked you will probably discover that the firm has suddenly never heard of you-and probably bribed someone in the police to believe them too!
By the way,which firm is this?(you can p.m. me if you prefer) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Velocipedaler
Joined: 23 Jun 2009
Posts: 45
Location: Earth
|
| Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 12:47 pm Post subject: Re: What assurances should I request from my school? |
|
|
| Nils wrote: |
The school will offer visa assistance, airfare, room, a small salary, and possibly medical. I don't think I'm going to get paid under the table, since they did mention income taxes. |
| smithrn1983 wrote: |
This doesn't mean a whole lot in Russia. There's still a chance you'll be paid in cash, and that it will be under the table. However, it's the employers responsibility to pay your income taxes.
I also think your employer has to provide medical in Russia, but am not totally sure of this one. Perhaps someone else can elaborate a bit more on this point. |
As of 2010, Russian companies are not required to provide medical coverage to foreign employees.
| Nils wrote: |
What should I request from my employer to reduce my risk? A signed contract? What clauses I should ensure are in the contract? I am planning to request references from other foreigns, but this is a pretty small school, so there might not be many. |
| smithrn1983 wrote: |
They haven't given you a contract? Under Russian law they're required to have signed copies of the contract, both in Russian and in English. You might be signing it when you arrive, but you should at least see it beforehand. If not, don't take the offer!
As for the other teachers, I always ask to contact someone who works for the school currently. If they won't let you do this, walk away. |
Work out all the conditions of the contract to your satisfaction before you come, and bring a copy of these conditions with you. Verify the contract you sign when you arrive contains identical conditions to those previously discussed. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jpvanderwerf2001
Joined: 02 Oct 2003
Posts: 1117
Location: New York
|
| Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I thought the "Ukraine run" visa was no longer possible? Doesn't everyone have to get a visa from their home country?
Work visas are done regionally, so I'm not surprised they asked you to come in on one type of visa, only to have it changed to a work visa once arriving.
The company will probably pay you some money "officially" and some in cash. A cursory inspection of the Russia tax code would explain that. It is essential that at least some of your salary is official, so the tax police don't smell something fishy (about a foreigner working in Russia with no salary).
Not to be trite, but Russia is not for people looking for assurances. The fact that you have mutual friends is a positive sign, I think, and is probably as good assurance as you're going to get here.
Best of luck to you. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
VladJR87
Joined: 06 Jul 2010
Posts: 87
Location: Moscow RU
|
| Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Disorganization in Russia? No way! 
I have some things in my email that are pretty damning. You cannot bribe your way out of everything (even if most things!) I have to assume I am not the only one who has gotten emails explicitly suggesting ways to skirt the law, or bend it... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
