Job Discussion Forums

[kimo50]

I noticed this article, originally published in Ningpo and republished in Xiamen, regarding social insurance for foreign employees Does anyone have practical experience is using any of these insurance benefits? Are they in force now or for the future? I actually dont recall seeing where my employer pays the premium for this insurance package - my payslip only shows the normal employer paid income tax.

"According to the latest Social Insurance Law and Interim Measures for Participation in Social Insurance of Foreigners Employed in China, foreigners working in China can now fully enjoy the social insurance in China no less than a Chinese citizen, including pension insurance, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance, which provide a wide range of protection of life for foreigners living in China.

Foreigners employed in China means a person who is not of Chinese nationality and holds employment certiicates and foreigner residence permit certificates such as Work Permit for Foreigners, Foreign Expert Certiicate, and Permit for Permanent Foreign Journalists, as well as Foreigner Permanent Residence Certiicate, and who is employed lawfully within the territory of China.

Foreigners employed by organisations in China or dispatched to any branch or representative office duly incorporated or registered in China, shall participate in basic pension insurance, basic medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance. The insurance premiums shall be paid by the employer and the foreigner pursuant to relative applicable regulations. The pension can be drawn monthly after retirement; medical insurance allows the insured person to have certain discounts when receiving medical treatments; work-related injury insurance compensates the insured person who suffered from injury or occupational diseases due to work; unemployment insurance helps out unemployed people financially; and the maternity insurance provides the insured person with maternity leave with wage and compensation for expense of treatment related to maternity.

If a foreigner leaves China before being qualified to enjoy the pension benefits, the foreigner’s individual social insurance account shall be maintained and the foreigner’s period of contributions may be accumulated when the foreigner is employed in China again; upon the foreigner’s written application for termination of the social insurance relationship, the balance in the foreigner’s private social insurance account may be refunded in a lump sum. The balance in a foreigner’s private social insurance account may be inherited according to law in case of death.

Where there is a dispute between a foreigner participating in the social insurance and the foreigner’s employer, either party may apply for mediation, arbitration or file an action according to law. Where an employer infringes the foreigner’s lawful rights and interests, the foreigner may apply with the social insurance administrative authority or social insurance premiums collecting agency for lawful settlement."

[Toast]

Only some provinces / towns / schools implemented it. It was big news a couple of years ago, and was supposedly going to become mandatory for all of us, but until now hasn't been....whether it will become so tomorrow, or next month is anyone's guess.

My school did sign us on for it, but until now they have been paying the monthly contributions (around 500rmb / month). Supposedly most of it is reimburse-able when it comes time to leave China, but never heard first hand of anyone claiming it. My FAO said when we finish working at this school we need to sign a form to end the policy and have the contributions paid directly to them (since they've been the ones paying).

As far as benefits, you get a fancy I.D card with 2,500rmb or so a year to spend on medical treatments or in pharmacies (seems possible to buy loads of different things in the pharmacy (vitamin tabs, shampoo etc.), not just meds. Mine also had 100rmb added to it for public transport, so I just use the social insurance card as a bus card also.

Some hospitals are free, as are some dentists with the card, although I imagine they're mostly the gross places. "Come for your conjunctivitis, stay for the staph infection" kind of thing.

The unemployment insurance is a load of crap, since if you lose your job in theory you lose your visa, hence won't be in the country to claim payments.

If you can get out of being signed onto it, I'd say it's better, but *assuming* most of the premiums end up getting paid back considering the extra stuff you get for free it's not totally terrible.

Your boss should still sign you on for regular health insurance if you're not part of this crap. I'm still on the regular PICC plan also.

[kimo50]

Is it implementation optional and at the choice of the school/province? From what I read it sounds like a national vs regional program.

[Toast]

No idea, but at my school a few people were exempt - those on only 6 month contracts, and those over 60 years old. All the over 60s have since been laid off due to school or province age restrictions, and don't have anyone on a 6 month contract right now.

Allegedly the neighboring university did put their FTs on 6 month renewable contracts rather than the year-long ones in part to avoid it. If true it sounds like a huge pain in the ass admin wise to me.

As far as I can tell it was originally intended as a way to milk more $ in tax from the multinational corporations and other big foreign businesses operating here more than a way to shaft public schools or those making less than 1,000USD a month.

[fpshangzhou]

I just found out due to economic cutbacks, I will be cut loose from my current position. The company has issued my 'z' visa for 1 more year, so I could be here to collect those payments if possible. Where do I go to find out if I qualify? All I know is I pay for health insurance with that booklet. Any information would be helpful.


Cheers,

fpshangzhou

[fpshangzhou]

I just found out due to economic cutbacks, I will be cut loose from my current position. The company has issued my 'z' visa for 1 more year, so I could be here to collect those payments if possible. Where do I go to find out if I qualify? All I know is I pay for health insurance with that booklet. Any information would be helpful.


Cheers,

fpshangzhou

[fpshangzhou]

I just found out due to economic cutbacks, I will be cut loose from my current position. The company has issued my 'z' visa for 1 more year, so I could be here to collect those payments if possible. Where do I go to find out if I qualify? All I know is I pay for health insurance with that booklet. Any information would be helpful.


Cheers,

fpshangzhou

[kimo50]

Talk to the person responsible for FTs at your school.

[choudoufu]

[Banner41]

I'm jacked about 1500 rmb for it in my pay every month. Got the fancy card with my name but haven't used it yet.

[jimpellow]

If you were to ask for reimbursement for your social insurance, that means you are supposed to be leaving China for good. People have left, collected, and then come back, and to this point it has not been questioned.

If you wish to remain in China for a new position, then the amount you have already contributed should be carried over with your new position.

It is interesting how people seem to think that the social insurance is optional depending upon the province that they are in. It is not. It is mandatory. Due to the factional nature of the Chinese government there will be push back and non compliance in the shorter term. But once Beijing decides it is time to clamp down, the provinces will fall in line real quick. Similar to what happened with the drunk driving laws.

This is why I bemoaned in a previous post how ludicrous the visa laws are becoming. If you really research what the national government demands for a Z-issue to be issued, you realize that it will kill supply on a provincial level once it becomes fully implemented.

It is only of interest to me now that I have left China for the reason that the demand is there, but it will have to be fulfilled from outside the country.

But if you wish to remain in China no need to despair. If your employer has actually been contributing you are still eligible for it and the demand for half sane teachers is great. People say you need to rush to get a position early in the summer for the fall. But I get emails from recruiters every day for better positions they cannot fill or the person backs out etc. My opinion is this will increaese in the Fall and well beyond.

Good luck!