Is this a normal thing in Hong Kong???

Boneco · 25-07-2008, 06:07 PM

Hi everyone
I was in Hk very few weeks ago and while i was here, i went to a job interview for a sports company. At the interview that company's manager asked me if i wanted to work for him on probation for all summer holidays, which means from July to September, and he actually didn't promise he would help on the visa later. The problem is i don't have a visa, and as he told me in the interview almost no one would apply for my visa without a period of probation, but as far as i know, it's illegal to take any kind of work in Hk without a work permit. I asked some of my friends in Hk who already have their work visa and all of them told me their period of probation was only after their visa was issued. I just want to know whether it's a normal thing in HK, because i feel like i wasted a good opportunity of getting a job in Hk but of course, it's risky and no one wants the "Deported" stamp in their passport

KnowItAll · 25-07-2008, 06:12 PM

It is illegal for him to hire you without a visa. (Probation or not ...)

An unethical employer can even refuse to pay you at the end of the three months, and there is very little you can do to recover the money.

elle · 25-07-2008, 06:22 PM

It is certainly not a normal procedure. When we hire someone we always apply for the work visa first - probation or not. If the company is not happy with you during/after the probation period they can always fire you and cancel the visa.

Boneco · 25-07-2008, 06:41 PM

Yeah, like i thought so, he even tried to persuade me saying that these days, it was pretty normal to do that in Hk, but i rather not take any risks, as everyone kept tell me if i was caught working illegally i would risk myself not also going into jail but also be deported.

aussiegal · 25-07-2008, 06:44 PM

Sounds dodgy and unethical. I wouldn't trust that there is even a job at the end of the probationary period.

I knew of an employer who constantly took people on a probationary basis, no pay. He staffed a cafe like this for two years only paying the chef and one other person but no body else received wages. They seriously went through 50 or 60 people this way before someone from a business next to them dobbed them in.

Boneco · 25-07-2008, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by aussiegal:

Sounds dodgy and unethical. I wouldn't trust that there is even a job at the end of the probationary period.

I knew of an employer who constantly took people on a probationary basis, no pay. He staffed a cafe like this for two years only paying the chef and one other person but no body else received wages. They seriously went through 50 or 60 people this way before someone from a business next to them dobbed them in.

Actually, a friend of mine knows that guy and he told me too that the guy constantly hires lots of people, having always lots of trainers but he told me to be careful.

HowardCoombs · 25-07-2008, 06:51 PM

Its not legal, its not normal but then again its not that unusual either. If you trust the guy not to report you, and actually pay you; its up to you to take the risk or not. If you get caught, it is very possible you will get tossed in jail, especially if you have the color of skin that is not snowy white or you are not a preferred nationality.

Practically, if you are white and have a good passport (eg Canada/UK) that allows you to stay a few months without exiting, chances are you wont get caught. If you are not white, you may get stopped on the street. If you have the wrong passport (1 month visa only), they may catch you for going in and out too often.

I worked for 4 years (and paid tax for 4 years) without a work visa...Alas the Revenue department doesnt always talk to the Imigration department :-)

I'm legal and permanent these days, but do know many that have gone the illegal route without any hitches for many months and in some cases like me for years and years.

Do you feel lucky
HC

Boneco · 25-07-2008, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by HowardCoombs:

Its not legal, its not normal but then again its not that unusual either. If you trust the guy not to report you, and actually pay you; its up to you to take the risk or not. If you get caught, it is very possible you will get tossed in jail, especially if you have the color of skin that is not snowy white or you are not a preferred nationality.

Practically, if you are white and have a good passport (eg Canada/UK) that allows you to stay a few months without exiting, chances are you wont get caught. If you are not white, you may get stopped on the street. If you have the wrong passport (1 month visa only), they may catch you for going in and out too often.

I worked for 4 years (and paid tax for 4 years) without a work visa...Alas the Revenue department doesnt always talk to the Imigration department :-)

I'm legal and permanent these days, but do know many that have gone the illegal route without any hitches for many months and in some cases like me for years and years.

Do you feel lucky

HC

I am white and have european passort( not UK), i'm allowed to stay in Hk for 90 days. But the truth is i don't know much about this guy, i only know what some of my friends tell me about him. But i think if he really would like to hire me, he would do it without puting me to the test for almost 3months.

krypton · 27-07-2008, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by HowardCoombs:

I worked for 4 years (and paid tax for 4 years) without a work visa...Alas the Revenue department doesnt always talk to the Imigration department :-)

Why on earth would you pay tax in this situation?

PDLM · 27-07-2008, 02:33 PM

Because your employer reports your salaries to the Revenue Department.

I assume that the poster had a HKID issued previously and so was still able to use that even after his visa expired.