Job Discussion Forums

[capikaw]

Hello,

I am hoping to obtain some information about Taiwan laws & my rights during my stay.

I currently reside in Taiwan. I am working at a school as a teacher. I have completed 2 years of university and have TESOL. My school has provided my with an ARC. I have been working here happily for over six months. Now, I have reason to believe that MY SCHOOL forged a 'university degree' to get the ARC while misleading me that my current education was OK.

An audit is being done at the school and I fear that I may get 'caught' with a 'fake degree' I never had part in. I'm worried the school (if it comes down to it) will blame me for providing them with a fake document.

First of all, what are the chances the Labour department will actually check the authenticity of a degree? Should I even worry now that I have an ARC? What will REALLY happen to me if I am blamed for using a 'fake degree'? What are the chances of the authorities believing the truth from a foreigner over a buxiban owner?

I would like some real-life stories and experiences oppose to prophecies from people who believe they know what will happen because they live in the country.

Thanks ahead of time.

[clark.w.griswald]

If your suspicions prove to be correct then it is safe to say that your school is among one of the worst in Taiwan. I have never heard of the situation you refer to and consider it unlikely, but I guess that it is certainly possible.

I don't understand why a school would go to such lengths to secure your employment in that way, particularly in the current job market where qualified teachers are plentiful.

Assuming that the school did forge a degree, I see your concerns as being legit. It is a criminal act and you can be sure that no one at the school will stand up and admit to doing it, and it would be natural to assume that the teacher provided a fake document, rather than a school forging the document.

Maybe the best thing to do would be to contact the CLA first. Explain the situation without identifying yourself and see what they have to say. I have found them to be pretty good, and they do have English speaking staff. Test the waters and see how you go. Bear in mind that if you just leave the school, and don't lay out your reasons for leaving you could be blacklisted. It seems that you have been forced into a corner and it might be best for you to make your own way out rather than wait and see what happens.

[Pop Fly]

Sorry, but I am having a little trouble buying this. It's like Clark sez, why would a school do this.? You must have laid one hell of a demo on them.

And the CLA does check the authenticity of degrees. I am going thru this now. My work permit is being held up because some slackers have been providing fake degrees from my alma mater. I gotta go in there today to prove mine is real.

So if you or your school has done something mischevious, and it totally sounds like someone has, as it is meiyo banfa to get a work permit sans degree, then maybe you'd better tuck your tail between your legs and head on back to South Africa before you get a nasty stamp in your passport. Or worse.