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dexterdiligent
Joined: 12 Jul 2010
Posts: 1
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 Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 6:02 pm Post subject: Hess Loan Deal: Passport as Collateral for Six Month Loan |
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Everybody,
This is a quotation from the 2010 pre-interview Hess questionaire:
"We know it�s difficult for many new arrivals, so we offer a one-time interest free start up loan for NT$30,000 (approximately US$900). It is totally optional, but about 80% of new teachers take the loan just to make the transition to their new job in a new country less challenging. If you decide to take the loan you have to repay it within six months and you must leave your passport with us as collateral until full payment has been received."
Is this legal? If so, what are the implications as to labor law for foreigners in Taiwan?
The loan system looks like a totally cynical way to hold teachers. And worse, it's being offered as though it were a favor. Wow, no interest? What a bunch of guys!
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Rooster_2006
Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Posts: 984
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| Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 7:42 pm Post subject: Re: Hess Loan Deal: Passport as Collateral for Six Month Loa |
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| dexterdiligent wrote: |
Everybody,
This is a quotation from the 2010 pre-interview Hess questionaire:
"We know it�s difficult for many new arrivals, so we offer a one-time interest free start up loan for NT$30,000 (approximately US$900). It is totally optional, but about 80% of new teachers take the loan just to make the transition to their new job in a new country less challenging. If you decide to take the loan you have to repay it within six months and you must leave your passport with us as collateral until full payment has been received."
Is this legal? If so, what are the implications as to labor law for foreigners in Taiwan?
The loan system looks like a totally cynical way to hold teachers. And worse, it's being offered as though it were a favor. Wow, no interest? What a bunch of guys! |
MOD EDIT
Okay, first of all, let me make one thing clear -- I HATE HESS FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.
However, I cannot understand why people are so damn hung up about the loan using a passport as collateral.
MOD EDIT it's YOUR CHOICE whether you take the loan or not. If you'd rather not take it, then fine, don't -- you won't have to hand your passport over to anybody.
In my case, I took the loan (because I needed the money). Hess fired me. I repaid it and they gave me my passport back immediately. End of story.
Although I hate Hess and will throw a wild, rockin' party the day they go out of business, I cannot understand for the life of me why this passport/loan issue is such a big deal to so many people. If you don't want to temporarily surrender your passport, don't take the loan! Simple!
If I were you, I'd be far more worried about these employment practices:
1. Firing employees, then trying to blackmail them into leaving Taiwan by threatening to fine them a 20,000 NTD Training Investment Fee if they work for another employer (even if they have been fired by Hess).
2. Making teachers fly over at their own expense and firing them in the first month without giving a reason.
3. Refusing contract renewals for employees with a rating less than "Very Good" and firing employees with a rating of "Fair" or below.
4. Changing contract terms after a teacher has arrived in Taiwan (for example, offering an employee the 30-hour contract, then informing them once in Taiwan that they have to sign the 20-hour contract).
And you choose to complain about a completely optional, elective loan? Geez, people need to learn what to complain about... |
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creztor
Joined: 30 Dec 2009
Posts: 476
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| Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:35 am Post subject: |
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| I am guessing it isn't legal, but this is Taiwan. No-one cares. Everything Rooster said is true also, but it will not change and the more you think about it the more it drives you up the wall. I'd spend less time worrying about what is wrong with the place and more about trying to make the most out of it (still working on practicing what I preach ). |
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StayingPower
Joined: 18 Aug 2006
Posts: 252
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| Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 12:28 pm Post subject: |
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No one's allowed to take your passport nor are you allowed to give it to anyone. This is for national security reasons. HESS should be exposed in this area, particularly after one manager there had tried to keep my passport after realizing they fired me without knowing I took out the loan.
They lost NT 3000.00 since they deducted my first month's salary and it didn't equate. They're also not allowed to take any money from you if they do fire you. It's a chain, however, so now think whether or not you want to work for such abuse of authority. |
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Rooster_2006
Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Posts: 984
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| Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 8:07 pm Post subject: |
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IMHO, I wish they had kept my passport a little bit longer!
I should have used my loan repayment as a bargaining chip to get more time to go job hunting after they fired me!
"Sure, I can get you the cash -- in three weeks!"
That would have prevented them from cancelling my ARC until then since they can't hold a passport for someone whose ARC they've cancelled. |
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