After much negotiation and discussion of excellent terms and conditions including relevant confirmations, statements and claims by e-mail (copies in hand) and of course the signed contract to back it up, I have recently arrived at a new school to start work. The school has provided a very nice apartment on the campus. However, despite being told to the contrary, the school has arbitrarily imposed a curfew of 9.00pm (later reluctantly extended to maybe 10.30pm) on the time that foreign teachers must be back on campus in the evenings - or be locked out by the security guards. In attempts to resolve this in discussion, the Principal, in the presence of a Police/Immigration representative lost his temper and told us foreign teachers to accept it or leave the school. The Police/Immigration representative said (privately) she didn't agree with it but supported the school in applying such a rule on the grounds of "Protecting our Safety"

There is no mention in the school contract of curfews or employees' private lives except very general references to "actions unbecoming" or "unwholesome" etc.

We have the contractual right in the event that discussion fails to resolve the issue, of applying to the local Foreign Affairs Department for their arbitration - however I am informed that this would be unwise and probably counter-productive as they will simply side with the school.

What can be done about this? Anything? Has anyone who has encountered this or similar got any good practical advice here? Please reply in the forum or by e-mail whichever you prefer.

John