Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

China Expat Forum

Employee Rights Of China Expat Foreign Teachers

New Topic Newest First
CFTU
  1/25/2015 22:02 EST

Here is a big and pleasant surprise for you... Thanks to China's new president Xi, we now all have the same 15 Employee Rights and Labor Law protections as Chinese SOE executives!

Yes, its true - you actually have some very useful employee rights in China since some amendments were made in 2012 to China's Labor Laws. Prior to that time, we were pretty much equal to indentured servants! If we had "issues" with management prior to 2012, we either quit, or were simply terminated. Gratefully, times have changed, but 70% of expats working in China don't know their rights. Here are the most important ones...

* You have the right to receive an original hard copy of your contract that is signed and chopped (red sealed) at the time you sign an employee agreement.

* You have the right to receive a written job description prior to signing your contract. It is up to YOU to make sure that job description is specific, in English, and not so vague that your hours, working days, work location, pay rate, holidays, bonuses, visa costs, air fare reimbursement, release letters, etc are clearly spelled out in no uncertain terms.

* You cannot be compelled nor forced to do anything not specified in your job description (which you should insist becomes and exhibit to your contract and also gets signed and chopped. This stops you from being used as a marketing monkey in shopping malls on the street handing out flyers).

* Your probationary period cannot exceed one month for each year of your employment contract. So if you are asked to sign a one year contract, your probation period should not exceed one month. If however, you sign a contract that specifies a 3 or 6 month probationary period, you are implicitly waiving your right on this issue.

* If you hold an FEC (Foreign Experts Certificate) you cannot be compelled to unpaid overtime hours without your consent. This one protection alone is worth about 5,000 - 10,000 rmb every month to some expat teachers in China.

* You have the right to receive both an invitation letter and release letter free of charge (These are both legal requirements and administrative duties of the employer).

* You have a right to a Z visa if employed in China (Again, this is a legal duty of the employers and of anyone tells you that you only get a Z visa after you complete your probationary period they are surely a scam operation to be avoided.

To learn the other 8 of your rights visit our website at http://www.ChinaForeignTeachersUnion.com or drop us an email at the same address (admin@). Happy New Year to all of our teacher colleagues working in China!

William Russell
William Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
Get Quote

William RussellWilliam Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
Get Quote

Living in China GuideLiving in China Guide

Expats living in China find learning Mandarin a big challenge, but most say that learning even a little is very worthwhile. They also agree that the spitting, squat toilets and Chinese culture take some getting used to.

China Forum China Forum
Join our China forum to meet other expats and talk about living in China.

Contribute to China Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in China.

Best Places to Live in China Best Places to Live in China

If you're considering a move to China, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in China in 2023.

Healthcare in ChinaHealthcare in China

Expats living in China discuss health insurance and quality of medical care in China. Tip 1: if you're going to the hospital in China (or to a doctor

Cost of Living in ChinaCost of Living in China

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in China.

Moving to ChinaMoving to China Guide

Expats in China offer tips for newcomers and others considering a move to China. Advice what to bring when you move to China, health insurance and healthcare, finding an apartment, expat banking and more.

Real Estate in ChinaReal Estate in China

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in China.

Pros Cons of Living in ChinaPros & Cons of Living in China

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in China.

Retiring in ChinaRetiring in China

Advice for people retiring in China.

10 Tips for Living in China10 Tips for Living in China

If you've recently arrived in China, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in China.

William Russell
William Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
Get Quote

William RussellWilliam Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
Get Quote

Contribute to China Network Contribute
Help others in China by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in China.

AGS Worldwide Movers
AGS Worldwide Movers

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal