Job Discussion Forums

Stitch · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Posts: 8

Well, the story goes like this...

I was employed by ACCIF (Australia China Cultural Interchange Foundation) and they failed to pay my salary. We complained, then they fired us on false charges that we were bad teachers. They never paid us our salary or gave us any severance fees or penalty fees for cancelling our contract.

I've since moved on and found a new teaching job that I really like. Now, however, ACCIF is threatening to sue us. They claim that if we do not pay them back the costs the school invested in us for foreign experts permit, res permit, insurance, health examination, z-visa, that they will sue us and have police come knocking on our door one day.

Now i'm a bit scared. I dunno if they are bluffing or if they are telling the truth. I am trying to sue THEM. However it is difficult because I am in Hubei and I am told that I must sue in Beijing where ACCIF is located. Teaching in Hubei gives me no time to travel to Beijing.

Plus, I cannot get any recommendations from the school about my teaching performance to clear the false charges that i'm a bad teacher. The school I worked at wants to give me a recommendation, howver they are under ACCIF's thumb and are afraid to anger ACCIF so they won't give me any recommendation in writing.

So my case against ACCIF is weak because it will be my word against theirs (the school refuses to be involved to take my side)

So I am at a lost on what to do! Does anyone have any ideas for help?!

Paul G · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 125 Location: China & USA

Read this thread. It may point you in the right direction.

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=395

Peter · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 161

You are trying to follow rules which are the Western way of doing business in a country where rules and contracts matter very little.

you were screwed by to a cowboy outfit and they are trying to do it again.

Tell them to go to hell and sue, it will cost them time and money, which is one thing they will not do, since it will cost money.

Another way is to up and go and shake it all off

Police knocking on your door? then you can tell them that your ex school ran an illegal business by not paying you.

Dragon · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 81

Well, first you made a mistake by still working for them. Huge mistake. that in itself is bizarre. I have had them threaten me but they did not know where I lived, so it all came to nothing. Do you have your green book? If so then no problem.
You could sue but why waste your time and aggravation. I would leave the school I am at now and go to Shanghai with your friend. That is why I only work in big cities.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I would agree with Peter up to where he says "tell the police the school still owes you money' - the (Chinese) police would never be interested in that!

It seems to me yo0u are again in hot water simply because you can't possibly be employed legally now without a release letter from ACCIF. Thus, I would advise against playing with the fire!
Move on! Return at a later date, after your current work visa has expired and you have bought a tourist visa!

Insist that your new employer apply for a work visa for you!