So, for a while there, things were nice and settled. Of course, there comes a time, when the proverbial s*** has to hit the fan again. If you've ever lived in a foreign country, or are currently living in a foreign country, you know how you can fall through the legal "cracks". Now, I should say, my problem is child's play compared to some other problems others have faced here, and probably also compared to basically ALL of the problems for individuals trying to immigrate the USA. As I'm sure most of you are aware, post 9-11 USA is one of the meanest, most xenophobic nations on Earth. But that's beside the point. So my situation was that I found a new, better job and wanted to leave my other contract early.
Fun fact: here in Taiwan(probably elsewhere too), you must be released from your job. You can quit, but the documents you need to get your new work permit must come from your previous employer. No documents, no job. End of story. Now you wouldn't assume that an employer would be so petty as to deny your documents when you've quit your job. Also, given the fact that it is illegal, you would think that they wouldn't do it. HOWEVER, it seems that it is almost standard operating procedure here for that to happen. If you are a Buxiban worker, you are protected from this because the Council of Labor Affairs can force the employer to give the documents. As a public school teacher, you must take your employer to civil court to obtain the documents, which basically defeats the purpose of quitting for another job, since you won't be getting your new work permit in time to actually work.
Anyway, I was trying to leave this situation nicely, giving over a month's notice. And my oh my, let me tell you how the merry circle jerk of misinformation and passing the buck began.
- EVERYONE tells you something different. I don't want to get into every nitty-gritty detail. Suffice it to say that I couldn't take anyone's word for anything. Even if you call the labor office, they tell you different things every time. Basically, for the last month, I have been calling the labor office, immigration, my new school, their recruiters, the council of labor affairs, my old school, and their consultants over, and over, and over, and over, and over again. NOBODY KNOWS WHAT THE F*** THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT. I consulted a municipal lawyer AND a private lawyer just to obtain a clear understanding of where I fall under the law and what is the best course of action to quit my job and not get screwed. ALL I WANTED TO DO WAS QUIT AND GO TO A NEW JOB. I actually ended up reading ALL of the related Taiwanese labor laws, chapter for chapter, and actually quoted the chapter and sub-paragraph that my school was in violation of to my school in order to get them to move. Scumbags. That's all I have to say.
- Now I have the distinct pleasure of paying the one month salary termination penalty which I'm still trying to get out of, but it doesn't look good. Of course after I got the documents from the old school, I had the pleasure of wrangling with the massive pile of paperwork from the new school and going back and forth between the offices to find out what is actually needed, because, as I said, NOBODY knows.
- Anyway, I have FINALLY applied for my new work permit and eagerly await the beginning of my new job teaching General music at a private school for grades k-12. Should be great. The new job is closer, more professional, in my field, and it pays better :). Signed another contract that goes until July, and I intend to keep it! In all fairness, I did work 9 full months at my old school. My new school even counted it as a step on the pay scale, since it is basically a full school year.
- Now I would be remiss here if I didn't mention Judy. I wasn't really the one calling the offices. Although I did make calls, Judy made an equal amount, perhaps more on my behalf, acting as translator and liaison. She actually went to the labor offices on several occasions to talk to the lawyer. Judy is my girlfriend now for about three months. She speaks five different languages fluently and is just all around awesome. It would have proven exceedingly difficult to do all this without her help since even when people claim to speak English, they very rarely speak well enough for it not to be a tremendous hassle.
PS...if you are a foreigner in Taiwan, or you are planning to come to Taiwan and you need to know about legal stuff, I can answer a good many questions. I am now reasonably more well versed in Taiwanese labor and immigration law than probably a majority of people here!
http://argentinagringos.blogspot.com/2011/11/paperwork-tramites.html
-This guy writes about his experience in Argentina with paperwork...same thing I'm talking about...I'm sure it's the same the world over.
