Caring
- 2015-11-09
The tricky rules for FTs, who change employers after accomplishing their contracts, have also made it tough for all. It almost seems as if the Chinese government wanted to make our stay, or perhaps our movement around the country, as uncomfortable as possible and the employers' that seek FTs business as difficult as it can be. I am intrigued by the large number of Chinese officials' children who are/have graduated or are studying abroad and so who have benefitted from our services. Perhaps again, it wasn't meant to happen.
AC_YC
- 2015-11-09
I have mixed feelings on this. I have seen both sides of the coin, from both an employers and employees perspective.
The system has needed updating for some time but as usual in China its either a little or a lot, the powers at be have chosen the latter and it has really changed things quite drastically this year in terms of the application process.
Without doubt it has made things more difficult for China to attract new talent but as Martin said it has made it easier for FT's who are already in China to negotiate, particularly when it comes to renewals. It is certainly a lot less trouble to renew an FEC and RP than obtain a brand new one especially if the FT is already on our books. Chinese are generally not so good at thinking out of the box but they are smart enough to do simple calculations that maybe an annual salary rise of 500rmb per month equates to less than the overall cost of recruitment, hiring and everything else and are far more likely to agree to it than before.
I mentioned my feelings quite openly on another thread a few months ago that some things I read here and on other places annoy me intensely as nothing is set in stone. Not all employees are out to rip you off and do genuinely try to follow the rules and honour contracts but the biggest headache I have had to deal with is 'no shows'. Even having obtained the Invitation Letter and sent it to the intended FT in another country, we still have to sit with fingers crossed hoping they haven't changed their mind. I have had this happen and one didn't even bother to tell us.
This is one positive benefit of this new system it has virtually eliminated duplicate applications and we are able to detect if this is occurring. I can confirm what cable said about the new identifier system, all foreigners now have one and it does follow you through any subsequent employment in China. If anyone is in any doubt ask their FAO, I don't see why they would deny the fact. We can do much more online now, again positive in that it has reduced the numerous visits to our local PSB.
Back to your original question, my opinion is yes it certainly has especially in the more isolated and less desirable provinces.
Martin
- 2015-11-09
There is no doubt that the Chinese government has increasingly been able to limit the number of FTs teaching illegally in China and to enforce certain qualifications for new Z visas. Multiple posts about this enforcement process confirm this observation.My question is this: has this significantly limited the number of FTs in China and made it
impossible for schools to acquire an adequate number of teachers?
There's an old native speaker not in the best of health, it seems, teaching at my private school, which is a combined junior and senior middle school. He is approaching 64 and told me he was able to get job offers from a few provinces more easily in the last two years than was possible for him when he was in his mid fifties. Anecdotal evidence, it's true, but it would seem to suggest that the tightening up of the visa regulations has adversely affected foreign teacher recruitment.
There is no doubt that the Chinese government has increasingly been able to limit the number of FTs teaching illegally in China and to enforce certain qualifications for new Z visas. Multiple posts about this enforcement process confirm this observation.
My question is this: has this significantly limited the number of FTs in China and made it impossible for schools to acquire an adequate number of teachers?
Speaking for my current and prior University employer, one has 3 foreign teachers where they used to have 5. The other has been recruiting into November for two positions they wanted to fill for September.