Job Discussion Forums

[rioux]

The administration where I am working now insists on holding my FEC. Every other place where I have worked they gave it to me to hold.

Is this a red flag?....is this "legal"?
Or is it no big deal?

Thank you

[Shanghai Noon]

It's probably fine, as long as they let you have it when you need it. My school holds it for police inspection, but I can have it whenever I need it.

[lugubregondola]

Police inspection? No police come to inspect where i am in korea. What they do that for?

[jimpellow]

It is certainly not legal.

Hard to say from what you have given if it is a red flag or not.

My first school did it and I willingly went along as I hadn't yet known better. I think they really did it out of concern for the teachers. Apparently they had not before, and two of the more interesting teachers kept losing them (or so a vet at the school told me).

Other times one will read how it is part of the process of enslaving the teacher.

I suppose you could ask them along the lines of why they want to hold when legally you are supposed to hold it.

I would also bet that a few Chinese employers just don't know the law.

[wangdaning]

I am sure you could point out in the book where it says that the person holding the FEC is a foreign expert of the PRC and ask them if they are foreign experts.

[roadwalker]

I never have any need for the FEC, so if the school wants to hold it, that's fine by me. Technically I think we are supposed to return them to the school when terminating a job, but I seem to have collected two or three over the years, without receiving any urgent calls or emails to turn them in.

Has anyone heard of any penalties actually being meted out for failure to show an FEC when asked? (I've never been asked.)

[adventious]

I share the experience and attitude of Roadwalker on this topic.
And something about their avatar now makes me feel invincible.

[wangdaning]

I carry mine instead of my passport when traveling. Much easier to replace. It is a general ID that has all the needed info in it.

[adventious]

And THAT makes a lot of sense...thank you.

[roadwalker]

[LarssonCrew]

I tried to use my FEC at the Hilton here, it was a no go. Passport or passport copy + the receipt from the police station only.

[roadwalker]

[wangdaning]

Works for me when I point out it is an identification document issued by the government. Only time I have been denied was at the bank. Done hotels, trains, etc...never a plane though.

[getbehindthemule]

It's standard practice enough for the school/company to hold it for you. However, you will need this little book if you want to send money to your home country by bank transfer. This is the only time that I've needed it.
If you ask for it, they are legally obliged to give it to you (I think).

[doogsville]

I've never even seen my FEC in six years and two jobs. I have all my RP's in my passport and that's all I've ever needed. It does say 'Foreign Experts Office' on a sign beside my office door, perhaps I should take a photo of that just in case .