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Legal Descrimination?

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mrperegrino

Barker

Joined: Apr 19, 2004
Posts: 139
Location: Shanghai- Pudong
Status: Offline

Posted: July 10, 2004 - 07:23 PM
Post subject: Legal Descrimination?

How far can they go?

Before relating this experience, I want you all to know we've been in China a year now, so we know there are levels of racism here, have seen it in person and read it on the boards here. One member commented that we should just look past it and focus on enjoying your stay in China. I disagree, because to do nothing is to condone it... just like cutting in line, if you dont call someone on it, it continues.
I do think we should maintain a list of company's that descriminate, as well as those that are particularly open.

We just had a very bad experience with Web International, then turned around and interviewed with L-E-C, and have seen the most multicultural staff since coming to China.

So, on with the story. My wife and I taught english in Shandong this last year, and after visiting Shanghai, decided to come here to continue our stay. We contact Web through an internet add, exchanged a few email relating to our qualifications. My wife has a Masters degree... they were very interested, set up a phone interview. We made the cut. Our contract didnt end till June. I visited Shangahi in May to look at area to live, and met in person with Web. After discussing our experience and teaching capability, they weemed very happy to have two experienced teachers coming aboard. I was sent to meet the HR VP, who took copies of my passport, discussed the contract, and sent one with me to have my wife sign and fax in. She did, I did not, I was holding out for an IT company I was talking to. Before faxing in, the HR director had her list her starting date on the contract do they could 'prepare' on their end. I visited again a few weeks ago to find an apartment, and all seemed well.
We arrived last week, walked into the office and was told the only position they had available was in a city 4 hours away, there was nothing in Shanghai, and that because Web's HR had not signed the contract, there was no comitment to her.

We walked away very angry and confused. then, the next day we see two NEW adds on the net for Web, looking for teachers for FULL and part time positions in Shanghai. Posted the day after they told us there were no positions available. But then it became clear.... one of the adds listed the in the qualifications the the race be 'white'. My wife is black. She is soooooo pisssed. We could go back to the US and deal with this ****, and at least have a legal recourse...

Any thoughts?

As for the augument of 'this is what the customer wants/expects' that kind of BS has been used for ages to try to justify racism, and that's all it is... BS.

Michael

Andreas
Board Royalty

Joined: Feb 27, 2004
Posts: 6422
Location: 31 N 121 E

Posted: July 11, 2004 - 02:01 AM

I am sorry to hear what happened to you. I am also not surprised, because when it comes to racism, this country has the absolute world record.

_________________
If it has tits, tires, or a transom, there's gonna be issues!

Edgewood
FooSlinger

Joined: Jan 28, 2004
Posts: 3906
Location: Colonial Shanghai

Posted: July 18, 2004 - 05:55 PM

Sorry to hear it dude. I see it all the time too, know how your wife feels.

Hate 'em right back if it helps.

_________________
Conlige suspectos semper habitos

littlefox
Fire-eater

Joined: Nov 23, 2003
Posts: 2773

Posted: July 18, 2004 - 08:30 PM

Edgewood wrote:

Hate 'em right back if it helps.

It does work on producing a bunch of faggots.

mrperegrino, sorry to hear what you have been through. I'm not familiar with law but if you keep the emails and I wonder if they provided you offer letter, you can actually try to file a labour dispute in the local labour arbitration centre. Good luck.

_________________
Ah, the ubiquitous idiots...

Edgewood
FooSlinger

Joined: Jan 28, 2004
Posts: 3906
Location: Colonial Shanghai

Posted: July 18, 2004 - 08:39 PM

Yeah, a laowai filing a suit in a Chinese court. hahahahahahahaha Good one lil'fox. You are soooo cute when you try to talk like us big people.

_________________
Conlige suspectos semper habitos

littlefox
Fire-eater

Joined: Nov 23, 2003
Posts: 2773

Posted: July 18, 2004 - 08:54 PM

Edgewood wrote:

You are soooo cute when you try to talk like us big people.

you are so funny when you are saying yourself BIG

_________________
Ah, the ubiquitous idiots...

margarita

Reacher

Joined: July 13, 2004
Posts: 291

Status: Offline

Posted: July 18, 2004 - 08:59 PM

Guys.. this happens not onlyin china but all over the world ok? The time will come when justice will be done, dont get mad, dont get even just keep plugging away... God has a way of rewarding us. Keep trying dont give up but ask what happened, go have a talk with them see what the problem is its easy to assume that its becuase your wife is black.. yet there may be another reason you might have overlooked. Also, try to see the bright side, perhaps this was not the right assignment for you two. Good luck and keep your head up not in anger or pride but in certainty that you will overcome and that one day soon you will not have to go thru this type of thing again.

Andreas
Board Royalty

Joined: Feb 27, 2004
Posts: 6422
Location: 31 N 121 E

Posted: July 19, 2004 - 03:28 AM

"Guys.. this happens not onlyin china but all over the world ok?"

no, it doesn't ! And if you would have been here long enough you would know it.

_________________
If it has tits, tires, or a transom, there's gonna be issues!

dbjiang

Seeker

Joined: July 16, 2004
Posts: 59

Status: Offline

Posted: July 20, 2004 - 03:36 PM

I feel sorry about it. But it's not strange in China. China is not an immigrant counrty, nor is even a country having history of international connections. For thousands years there's only one kind race of ppl here. That's why many chinese tend to look all the ppl come from other country as generallized "Lao Wai". These "Lao Wai" are absolutely different human beings to Chinese. Very Happy

And it's so nature to these chinese to differentiate other people upon his/her nationality, race, tribe or color besides personal characters. Some people even won't hide his dislike towards a specific nation or color and don't feel any sorry about it. They confound with nationalism and racism.

Well, it's not good, but people need to learn from practice that it's not good. Before China has become a real international country with various people of different racies, colors, religions all live and work together, it's hard to be realized. But the good point is most chinese are fast on learning. You should aware that China has just opened the door to the world.

Time will change everything. Be patient.

karnex420

Raver

Joined: Mar 08, 2004
Posts: 488
Location: Shanghai, China
Status: Offline

Posted: July 28, 2004 - 07:44 PM

Ever been to the deep South,USA Michael. They've perfected their racism. Now the blacks just have accidents.

margarita

Reacher

Joined: July 13, 2004
Posts: 291

Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 08, 2004 - 07:35 PM

Andreas.. I have been in china 7 yers now sweety... i think thats long enough to know darlin...

Andreas
Board Royalty

Joined: Feb 27, 2004
Posts: 6422
Location: 31 N 121 E

Posted: Aug 08, 2004 - 08:52 PM

Been here more then 10 and not only Shanghai. Pity you did not get to know the place in 7 years. Some people never will, because they look but never see. Never mind, as long as they are happy Very Happy

_________________
If it has tits, tires, or a transom, there's gonna be issues!

oiboy

Barker

Joined: Aug 20, 2004
Posts: 132

Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 20, 2004 - 08:19 PM

Just to comment on your post. I feel for you. The other night I was sitting at the local Bing Feng restaurant with one of my co-workers. We were sittting at a communal table. I asked my collegue a question about something and this other guy sitting next to him replied as my collegue didnt know. The following conversation insued.
Strange Guy: Hey where are you from?
Me: Canada
Strange Guy: You 're not from Canada
Me: Yes I am
Strange Guy: No!! Your face looks Indian!
Me: Well, my grandparents are Indian.
Strange Guy: Well then you are Indian
Me: What does a Canadian look like? . I proceeded to explain to him the difference between race and nationality and slam his ignorance causing his g/f to start laughing at him and him getting angry and storming out of the restaurant.

Gee Whiz ... Don't People have internet....

Another instance was when I walked into a busy Noodle Restaurant on Nanjing with my co-workers who were all caucasian. There were 5 of us and they took us to a table with 4 seats. The waiteress proceeded to ask me to sit at the "bar". My collegues were kinda embarassed and one offered me a seat. I took a deep breathe and proceeded to just walk out, my collegues followed.

jenming

FooJay

Joined: Dec 20, 2002
Posts: 1675
Location: Right where you wanna be
Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 20, 2004 - 11:32 PM

oiboy wrote:

Another instance was when I walked into a busy Noodle Restaurant on Nanjing with my co-workers who were all caucasian. There were 5 of us and they took us to a table with 4 seats. The waiteress proceeded to ask me to sit at the "bar". My collegues were kinda embarassed and one offered me a seat. I took a deep breathe and proceeded to just walk out, my collegues followed.

What restaurant was this?