Teachers n o t getting paid - what's up with that?

Oh yes. Teaching in Vietnam (and other countries) can be risky. Usually, there's no problem as schools want to keep their teachers. However, sometimes, the whole thing is a huge scam.

Here's one of the biggest of them all from back in 2006. Note that the main perpetrator was Taiwanese:

Arrest follows Vietnam schools chain closure

The hunt for the manager of a chain of 14 English language schools in Vietnam, which closed suddenly in January leaving 30,000 students and 1,000 unpaid teachers stranded, ended last week in Taiwan where he was detained under an Interpol arrest warrant, issued by the Vietnamese authorities.

Michael Yu, a Taiwanese national, had been sought by Vietnamese police since late January, when the Singapore International Teaching Consultancy (SITC) schools chain locked out students and staff.

Full article:

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2006/mar/10/tefl3

I'll just add this is true from what my teacher friend in Tuyen Quang tells me. No pay for two months. Classes have been canceled for that long. She has been told pay will be forthcoming in March. I myself would be skeptical. Teachers are struggling there now...no way to pay the bills or put food on the table.

A side note, in general teachers are not properly appreciated or compensated in Vietnam...not unlike America. You have to really care about kids and want to teach to make it a career. Those who teach in Vietnam, again, like those in the US could do better in other professions.

I think the Good Neighbor organization does good work in Vietnam. Good volunteers. An honest organization I believe.

Brooky wrote:

I'll just add this is true from what my teacher friend in Tuyen Quang tells me. No pay for two months. Classes have been canceled for that long. She has been told pay will be forthcoming in March. I myself would be skeptical. Teachers are struggling there now...no way to pay the bills or put food on the table.

A side note, in general teachers are not properly appreciated or compensated in Vietnam...not unlike America. You have to really care about kids and want to teach to make it a career. Those who teach in Vietnam, again, like those in the US could do better in other professions.

This is a separate but also serious issue that is currently occurring due to the virus situation. Since schools are closed and classes are cancelled, teachers who get paid by the teaching hour (most everybody) have zero income because they are teaching zero hours. Some of the large chains have started implementing online classes, so some teachers are OK. However, as far as I know, most foreign teachers are in dire straits as they are being forced to live off their savings.

I imagine a lot of people are leaving or have already left VN to move to countries where schools are still open.

The best solution is to take a break so to leave VN and back for the new academic school year!!

johnross23 wrote:

Some of the large chains have started implementing online classes, so some teachers are OK.

As a consumer I wasn't all that enthusiastic about this development.  My wife's daughter goes to VUS which we have been very happy with for the last 8-9 months.  After being closed for 2-3 weeks after TET they started the online thing.  The problem I have with it is they are charging the standard in classroom rate for it.  So, it's "optional", but you aren't going to get any credit back for the weeks they are closed but are teaching online.  I hope it doesn't turn into a slippery slope of this becoming market rate for online and they increase the rate for in classroom instruction.

Just fyi, my friend is a Vietnamese national, native of Tuyen Quang. Teachers primary English. Yes, the schools are closed and classes canceled per the virus threat...but she is a salaried teacher and supposed to be receiving pay. I'm happy for her that she can stay home and relatively isolated per her safety. I think it's the smart response...canceling classes but obviously a real hardship without pay / income.

FYI - the failure to pay employees is not limited to teachers.

I have heard there have been complaints and a big petition from the private or English schools to the government to re-open the schools.  While the state doesn't have rent payments and are still paying teacher salaries all of the private schools still have their monthly bills even if they aren't paying teachers.  Utilities, rent, etc.

johnross23 wrote:

Brooky wrote:

I'll just add this is true from what my teacher friend in Tuyen Quang tells me. No pay for two months. Classes have been canceled for that long. She has been told pay will be forthcoming in March. I myself would be skeptical. Teachers are struggling there now...no way to pay the bills or put food on the table.

A side note, in general teachers are not properly appreciated or compensated in Vietnam...not unlike America. You have to really care about kids and want to teach to make it a career. Those who teach in Vietnam, again, like those in the US could do better in other professions.

This is a separate but also serious issue that is currently occurring due to the virus situation. Since schools are closed and classes are cancelled, teachers who get paid by the teaching hour (most everybody) have zero income because they are teaching zero hours. Some of the large chains have started implementing online classes, so some teachers are OK. However, as far as I know, most foreign teachers are in dire straits as they are being forced to live off their savings.

I imagine a lot of people are leaving or have already left VN to move to countries where schools are still open.

Hear, hear!  Without wanting to show self-pity, not having work is soul-destroying.

One center has helf online video sessions (sadly, never stopping to speak Vietnamese = as pet peave of mine.

My last $ 200 for work in November hasn't been paid yet (excuse: the accountant is at home. Year, they have been bathing in shame and remorse...

SteinNebraska wrote:

I have heard there have been complaints and a big petition from the private or English schools to the government to re-open the schools.  While the state doesn't have rent payments and are still paying teacher salaries all of the private schools still have their monthly bills even if they aren't paying teachers.  Utilities, rent, etc.

Oh dear, my heart bleeds for them, the private school owners might have to sell the Porsche to pay the rent!!

Brooky wrote:

Just fyi, my friend is a Vietnamese national, native of Tuyen Quang. Teachers primary English. Yes, the schools are closed and classes canceled per the virus threat...but she is a salaried teacher and supposed to be receiving pay. I'm happy for her that she can stay home and relatively isolated per her safety. I think it's the smart response...canceling classes but obviously a real hardship without pay / income.

We get so many inquiries about teaching positions over here.

That's probably a good point to make to people for when they are negotiating their contract.

Of course then they would probably need a lawyer to make the clause unbreakable.

goodolboy wrote:

Oh dear, my heart bleeds for them, the private school owners might have to sell the Porsche to pay the rent!!

While I understand that sentiment and especially about the big schools I have a friend here that has a small school with him and one other teacher.  It's tough for him.   He's going to be OK but he said some people he knows have shut down or given up the business.  As an American I can't see how one or even two months of no income can kill a business due to reserves but from how I see most Vietnamese operate businesses I can believe it.  You won't believe how many suppliers at the end of year begged me to pay some bills early because they didn't have enough money to pay 13th month bonuses.  How can this be?  It's not an unforeseen expense.  Happens every year.  Pretty much the same time.  Budget for it.

SteinNebraska wrote:

While I understand that sentiment and especially about the big schools I have a friend here that has a small school with him and one other teacher.  It's tough for him.   He's going to be OK but he said some people he knows have shut down or given up the business.  As an American I can't see how one or even two months of no income can kill a business due to reserves but from how I see most Vietnamese operate businesses I can believe it.  You won't believe how many suppliers at the end of year begged me to pay some bills early because they didn't have enough money to pay 13th month bonuses.  How can this be?  It's not an unforeseen expense.  Happens every year.  Pretty much the same time.  Budget for it.

I would not believe all you hear.  These type of people will use any excuse to extract money from others.

Hello guys, I'm currently employed and living in central Vietnam. During this current pandemic, everyone has struggled in one-way shape or form, predominantly financially.

My contract was signed just as the schools closed in Vietnam, shortly after the Tet holidays. I have some questions about the legitimacy of the contract and other issues regarding my passport.

- my employer is holding my passport with the pretence that I am able to obtain it as and when I need it.

Unfortunately, this is not so. I've had numerous promises that my passport will be accessible so that I can collect money from western union. I've now been waiting for two weeks.

- my employer has supplied me with a work permit on the basis that if I leave the company prior to completion of a 27-month contract, that I would have to pay them $2000. Is this legal?

My employer is restricting my access to my passport which is now having a dramatic effect on my wellbeing and mental health. I am unable to collect money sent to me by my family and the employer is only handing out very small amounts of money as and when they see fit.

In the contract it also states that if the employer is unable to give the employee his or her full working hours, the employee will still receive a full salary. This is also reaffirmed in another clause.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[Post under review]

mptot4 wrote:

Hello guys, I'm currently employed and living in central Vietnam. During this current pandemic, everyone has struggled in one-way shape or form, predominantly financially.

My contract was signed just as the schools closed in Vietnam, shortly after the Tet holidays. I have some questions about the legitimacy of the contract and other issues regarding my passport.

- my employer is holding my passport with the pretence that I am able to obtain it as and when I need it.

Unfortunately, this is not so. I've had numerous promises that my passport will be accessible so that I can collect money from western union. I've now been waiting for two weeks.

- my employer has supplied me with a work permit on the basis that if I leave the company prior to completion of a 27-month contract, that I would have to pay them $2000. Is this legal?

My employer is restricting my access to my passport which is now having a dramatic effect on my wellbeing and mental health. I am unable to collect money sent to me by my family and the employer is only handing out very small amounts of money as and when they see fit.

In the contract it also states that if the employer is unable to give the employee his or her full working hours, the employee will still receive a full salary. This is also reaffirmed in another clause.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Hopefully, other forum members with more knowledge can contribute to this discussion as I don't really have any experience with this type of situation.

I seem to remember from some other similar threads (which you should search for), that it was recommended that for the passport problem, your embassy should be contacted for advice. Technically, your passport is the property of your government.

For employment disputes, submitting a complaint to the labor department (not sure of the exact name) was mentioned if you are legally employed.

Consultation with a lawyer that has been recommended by a trusted source could be another option.

Focusing on getting your passport back is probably the best strategy at this point.

Brooky wrote:

I'll just add this is true from what my teacher friend in Tuyen Quang tells me. No pay for two months. Classes have been canceled for that long. She has been told pay will be forthcoming in March. I myself would be skeptical. Teachers are struggling there now...no way to pay the bills or put food on the table.

A side note, in general teachers are not properly appreciated or compensated in Vietnam...not unlike America. You have to really care about kids and want to teach to make it a career. Those who teach in Vietnam, again, like those in the US could do better in other professions.

Brooky wrote:

Just fyi, my friend is a Vietnamese national, native of Tuyen Quang. Teachers primary English. Yes, the schools are closed and classes canceled per the virus threat...but she is a salaried teacher and supposed to be receiving pay. I'm happy for her that she can stay home and relatively isolated per her safety. I think it's the smart response...canceling classes but obviously a real hardship without pay / income.

I had it explained to me by a local English teacher who I used to join for coffee during recess, that local teachers fall into two groups.  The full time usually older teachers get a fixed salary and usually not more than about 30 teaching hours a week.  Newer teachers are paid on a per hour basis just as the foreign teachers, but of course for a lot less VND.  He said they are lucky to get about 20 hours a week.  Advancing to the salaried group requires time and good evaluations by administrators.  Party membership may not be required but probably doesn't hurt.  (He did tell me once that it is impossible to become a Principal without being a Party member.)  If your friend is not being paid, my guess that she is not a permanent teacher, but in the hourly pay group.