Job Discussion Forums

lumberjackej · Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 7:16 am Post subject: passport as a security deposit

Hi,

The school I'm teaching at requires me to give them either my passport or 3000 RMB as a security deposit. Apparently last year the school signed a foreign teacher, who, after getting a month's pay, skipped town and also took the apartment's computer and TV.

This still sucks for me. I've only been here for two months, and I haven't saved up enough RMB to get my passport back. This makes travelling a bitch, and I don't even want to think about what will happen if a PSB officer stops me without my passport.

Can a school even do this? Is it legal to hold somebody's passport? Any advice/shared experiences would be appreciated in this matter.

I'm probably going to leave this school after next term. This passport/security deposit situation makes me feel a) not trusted by my employers and b) like a small child on a very short leash.

Thanks.

Eric

Norman Bethune · Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Posts: 731

Atlas · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 662 Location: By-the-Sea PRC

I second that, what Norman is telling you.

Beware of any school that wants to keep you against your will, or have this kind of power over you. Do not give your school your passport, nor your red book nor green book--these are your documents and yours to hold. If the school insists on keeping them you will have far less trouble leaving and breaking a contract than you would have working for such an unprofessional, unscrupulous exploiter of hapless travelers.

REAL SCHOOLS DO NOT EXPECT TO KEEP YOUR PASSPORT. NO SCHOOL CAN LEGALLY WITHHOLD IT FROM YOU. You will find once they have it, they will not surrender it without a fight.

These schools need you and they often rely on cheating you out of your contracted arrangements. The only reason a school wants to keep your passport is because other teachers have left, not tolerating intolerable circumstances. The stories of former teachers stealing is most likely a "face" snowjob.

If they wont give you your passport, call the police and get it and leave and count yourself lucky.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I agree on one score: NEVER SURRENDER MY PASSPORT TO FOREIGNERS SUCH AS MY CHINESE EMPLOYER! It is not MY property - it is the property of my home country's government. If my employer mislays or loses it I am going to be in a hot bath! Besides, youmay need it on your errands to a bank or even on a trip - how can you check in at a hotel???

But on the other hand, here we have proof that some backpackers fill the empty space in their rucksacks with portables of any description. I for one am not surprised. If they could they would steal my wallet, but failing to succeed they lay their hands on computers.
This happens more often than is talked about here; I do understand that some schools take precautionary measures. Though I doubt it is fair or necessary to ask for your passport; part with the 3000. IT's not such a hoopla of money after all, judging by the proud narratives of some that say they make as much in a couple of days of moonlighting...

limits601 · Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 11:14 am Post subject:

You can always get your passport back if you go your embassy or call a phone number of your government in China and claim it was stolen. You will have a new passport in less than 24 hours.

I agree though NOT to give it to anyone other than a customs offical and never have it seized for any longer than it should be but if worse comes to worst, a new passport can be issued very quickly.

Hope this helps a bit if you do have problems getting you passport back.

No Moss · Joined: 15 Apr 2003 Posts: 1995 Location: Thailand

Yes, but would your new passport have your visa in it? I agree with all those who said never to surrender your passport.

lumberjackej · Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 12:51 pm Post subject: this sucks.

I do have my residence permit, but, of course, it's completely useless without the passport that is lying in my boss's desk drawer.

Actually, I wouldn't put it beyond foreigners (or anybody) to steal TV's, computers, or anything valuable. Apparently my university (which really isn't that bad, except for this situation) had some EXTREMELY bad foreign teachers a few years ago who resorted to this.

I'm thinking about calling the PSB in my town and explaining the situation. I think, according to Chinese law, it's illegal for anyone except a government officer to request my passport. If I can tell this, I figure they'll surrender it to me.

Thanks for the advice,

and wish me luck.

EJ

Yu · Joined: 06 Mar 2003 Posts: 1219 Location: Shanghai

something sounds fishy to me... I would not give up my passport except for processing my visa, and I would expect it to be promptly returned to me.

Brian Caulfield · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 1247 Location: China

My problems at Wuxi International School started over this , They asked for it and I said they could have it but I must go with it . The other teachers who came and went had the same problem . I think it is all about you being subservient to them .

jeffinflorida · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 2:33 pm Post subject: It's a NO NO

Common sense should prevail when asked to give up your passport. The word that my x-wife liked to use so much -NO! Say no, don't give it up. Tell them that you must hold it - at all times. And you should. Don't hide it under your mattress or in the closet. You should keep it on your person at all times.

I purchased an undershirt / body passport document holder at a travel store. I have traveled to the Middle East and Europe recently. My passport was always on me.

If something happens and you need to leave all you need is your passport. That was my theory. I can replace my clothes and personal items. I was prepared to leave them if I had to go.

Don't give it up.

shuize · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 1270

I don't know what goes through the head of someone who even considers giving up their passport.

Why even counsel them? They are the same foolish people who disregard all advice but end up coming back a couple of months later to post: "Help!!11!! -- I have no money 'cause my boss won't pay me and he still has my passport -- what should I do?"

dajiang · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 663 Location: Guilin!

It's not legal for people or organisations other than yourself or embassies and the likes to keep your passport.
When it happens that's about the only time your embassy is of any use at all, because they can get it back for you, or get a new one.

Why would you give 3.000 kuai to a school for safekeeping? Don't give money... you should GET money...
Usually there's somekind of bonus clause in a contract, that says you will get an x-amount of kuai's on completion of the contract. I suppose they will keep it when you steal a computer. Smile

Anyway, bargain.
Like everything else in China, you will have to bargain for the best contract deal you can get. Don't get suckered into bad deals, or you're asking for trouble.

Best of luck,
Dajiang

Giantbudwiser · Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 9:16 am Post subject:

Technically a school can ask you to pay a work deposit from 500 to 2000 USD according to Chinese law but no school ever enforces that law. Its illegal for anyone to hold on to your passport its not even yours it belongs to your government. If they got it and wont give it back then you should call your embassy asap and ask for their help.

Madmaxola · Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 238

you poor poor fool

bradlarsen · Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 74