Read the article here.
First of all, we want to thank Alden for giving us the
insight on this issue. I think most teachers assumed or knew that
fining people for quitting, or taking deposits, was illegal.
Heretofore, however, it has seemed that teachers had no financially
feasible option to get the money they EARNED back. Having a local
lawyer lay out the laws and procedures for us in English AND Chinese is
what was needed. Taking into
consideration that quitting also frequently involves a trip to Hong Kong,
the effect of fines or deposits was a true double-whammy. Too often
the best advice was just to take the losses as a lesson.
What we have here is that there is a way to get that
money. The intent of the article is to act as an arrow in the quiver
of teachers. Knowing your rights, and letting them know that you
know, should allow the school to see that this is one they can't
win. It's our hope that the factors outlined in the article should convince the school
that this is a net loser for them. Not worth the fight, and that
they would fold.
If you're quitting on bad terms, and they are taking fines
or deposits, it is probably best to do as much insisting as you can
without earning eternal enmity. Hopefully, you will have followed
the
transfer process and added a second school before quitting your
current bad school. This will allow you to stay in the country and
follow up immediately, as you ARC won't be cancelled when you quit.
If you don't have a second school on your ARC, then quitting would mean
you would need to leave the country and return on a new visa.
The article, in English and Chinese, clearly illustrates
that the school faces a costly uphill battle that will more than likely
end in defeat, all to keep the 10-40,000 they tried to burn you out of.
*Gives chapter and verse on the ONE LINE law that says what
they did is illegal.
*Having a hearing is free for teachers to start, and a
lawyer isn't required (you could bring a parent :p). But, would the
SCHOOL show up without a lawyer?
*Points out that in along with having to repay the wages, an
additional fine of up to NT$90,000 is possible.
*Possible CRIMINAL prosecution
*A date at the office of the Council of Labor affairs (who
wants to be on their radar?)
*It's held under the auspices of the Labor Affairs Council,
who WROTE the very rules.
*Occurs fast, within a month
*Losing opens up their bank accounts AND property.
