Job Discussion Forums

avigoldberg · Joined: 17 Mar 2013 Posts: 31 Location: China

I am working for a company and I have talked to my manager.

They got my visa in such a way that it expires on June 23. But my contract expires on July 1.

If I don't complete the contract, then I don't get the airfare.

The boss has said (in so many words) that I should just forfeit the airfare or he will not give me a release letter (the standard issue one for the State Bureau of Foreign Experts) and he is threatening that I would never be able to work again in China without his say-so. (This man is a PATHOLOGICAL LIAR, but I do know that there are some difficulties in securing work without the appropriate release letter.)

What experience has anyone had with this? A job that I completed in Hunan didn't even require the letter because I came in on a tourist visa.

Another company here in Jiangsu said that they didn't even need that. And that they only needed the proof of cancellation of my last Foreign Experts Certificate (which the employer may also try to hold hostage). I could try to approach the State Bureau of Foreign Experts and get the certificate cancelled myself, but I don't know the likelihood.

Suggestions?

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Do you want to continue to teach in China?
If you do, use a prospective new employer to 'heavy' your current one.
Even if you take a drop in pay (and probably hours) find the most prestigious national level school in you local area and cold call the FAO.
I had a similar situation abt 10 years ago. These lowlifes are tough on foreigners but cave when exposed to higher status Chinese.

Lancy Bloom · Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Posts: 126 Location: Hong Kong

One wonders if this was orchestrated at the beginning. You have to read documents thoroughly in China. In 9 years of teaching in China I saw my airfare twice. If you honor the contract you have an overstay. Try to get an extension on the visa. There should be no problem. Your present employer with or without quanxi has a lot of weight on how well you get on in your next job. Just about everyjob I worked in China required between two to 6 weeks extra work before I was able to get the release letter. It is the same for Chinese teachers only they pay when they start their jobs.

mike w · Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 8:08 am Post subject:

Kysorb · Joined: 30 Jul 2010 Posts: 253 Location: Beijing

kungfuman · Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 10:42 am Post subject:

Agree with some of the above. The dude wants to keep you money AND twist your nutsack. Don't go for it. Get your own extension at the local PSB - IF your new employer can't get you a working visa before this one expires.

Stand up for yourself - this boss is obviously a piece of doody.