In recent years, China has become known for importing its own workers over hiring locally, causing resentment among those who had expected an uptick in job opportunities for locals. Such resentment could cause complications at a time when the government is cracking down across the country in preparation for next year’s Congress.
While labour migration to and from China varies greatly from one host country to another, according to the China Labour Bulletin, Chinese labour contracts in Vietnam increased from US$28 million in 2007 to $37 million in 2008.
Geoffrey Crothall, of the China Labour Bulletin, says that language and ‘cultural homogeneity’ play a part in Chinese companies hiring workers, adding: ‘Chinese workers probably take these jobs on the promise of higher wages than they could earn at home. However, in many cases…the wages they get are different.’
It isn’t just Chinese though that have been the apparent target of the crackdown—analysts note that African migrants have also faced problems, with officials said to be concerned some are involved in drugs or prostitution and often overstay their visas.
But while some expats say they plan on leaving if the current uncertainties aren’t cleared up, other more seasoned residents are less concerned—years spent in a developing communist nation have given them a high tolerance of what one described as ‘just more bullshit.’
One long time expat with a Vietnamese wife and baby, who also asked not to be named, runs an English school in a suburb of Hanoi. He says many schools, often ‘Mickey Mouse’ ones, haven’t even bothered getting foreign staff permits because ‘they don’t want to pay the bureaucratic tea money.’ In addition, many work part time or for more than one school. A work permit is valid for one employer only, and once you change jobs you need a new one.
‘It’s not cost effective nowadays’ he says. ‘A lot of teachers are worried’ they may have to leave.’
Whether authorities will actually begin to crack down outside its presumed target group remains to be seen. Implementation of many laws, after all, remains low to non-existent. For example, a ban on smoking in restaurants and other public places was enacted January 1, yet smoking everywhere remains the norm.
‘They’d rather take money from the school and say, “give us money or we’ll report you”’ than actually deport Westerners, the school owner says.
But Greenwood is more direct in his inferences. ‘I’d be astonished if some degree of corruption wasn’t involved in this (decision),’ he says.
Reddit
Digg
StumbleUpon
Delicious
Technorati
Yahoo
Google
Plurk
Bernie
Michael (Is that really your name) we do know why the Chinese workers were ordered to work in Vietnam, and elsewhere, without complaining. Refusal equals imprisonment. Discuss it with their children who are left behind in China and hardly know who their fathers are.
danny
Michael,
Ksou is just stating what is true. It is well documented that China is known for not hiring among local workers in the country they do business. Also, Chinese companies bring unskilled workers that are violent. Now as far as Chinese not complaining, what the recent strikes at Foxconn? Did Chinese stage protest for higher wages? Is that not considering complaining? Before you fire back, please provide evidence for your claims.
Here is one source for the :
1)Chinese people complaining about their working conditions-Foxconn: http://www.newsweek.com/2010/05/28/how-chinese-suicides-could-hurt-apple.html
2)Chinese companies not hiring local citizens:
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/KF12Ae01.html
http://www.cfr.org/publication/9557/china_africa_and_oil.html
Now ar
ralph schwer
Three reasons appear to have prompted the Vietnamese government’s crack down on visas and working in Vietnam. Firstly, the large number of Chinese workers, as covered in this article. Secondly, the growing numbers of Africans, some of who are overstayed and some of whom are using local women to carry drugs for them. Several Vietnamese women have already been charged, both here and in China, for this offence. One case is reported at length in Pháp Luật Cuốc Sống, No.22, August 2010. Thirdly, most foreigners working in Vietnam are not paying income tax and the government wants to ensure they do, at least as a reason for having a crackdown on ALL foreigners living long term in Vietnam, whether they work or not.
I have no problem getting a visa to live in Vietnam as my wife is Vietnamese and so I am here visiting my family. Other retired friends, who have lived in VN for some years and who are not married, now have to go to Cambodia every six months and get a new visa, something they did not have to do before.
ksou
“In recent years, China has become known for importing its own workers over hiring locally, causing resentment among those who had expected an uptick in job opportunities for locals.”
China does that with Africa too. Maybe its just a culture thing, have your workers speak the same language…
Michael
Or maybe it’s because the Chinese are super hardworking willing to labour long hours and brave any weather condition without complaining!