When we did our 2014 annual teachers survey last year, we learned that 67% of all expats teaching in China claimed they were cheated at least once of their wages, bonuses, or "refundable deposits" that were not paid as agreed. Those accused of the thefts were both employers and and agents.
The stolen wages averaged 12,000 yuan or about $2,000. In most cases it is the last pay-check and year-end bonuses that do not get paid. It appears these big fat bonus checks (usually 10,000-20,000 yuan) are just used as bait by recruiters who never have any intention of paying them. Since most recruiters use untraceable Chinglish names like "Ben Liu" or "Mary Zhou" they have no chance of any legal prosecution or problems. Next year they will simply start recruiting as "Ben Li" and "Mary Zheng". Only the old veteran China expats are hip to this name game trick.
Also keep in mind that since employers know when your visa expires (you had to give them a copy remember?) They will usually tell you that you will get your last pay and bonus the day before you must legally leave the country. They know you cannot possibly do anything to claim your wages without being in China, or can you?
Now the good news... 752 of our members who were cheated in 2014 that used the China Scam Patrol collection methods report that they absolutely worked and they were paid within 10-30 days without using a lawyer and they only had to pay the costs of making about 100 copies. 311 report that they were even able to recover interest charges on their unpaid money. So how to do it? Easily. Here are your step by step instructions: http://www.chinaforeignteachersunion.com/2015/11/how-china-foreign-teach...
