newbie to international, questions on shanghi

[billiards4me]

hey guys. new to the international biz, and new to the site. i'm an electrician. thanks for all the helpful info so far. i'm currently over in bamako, mali with caddell (junior is here.... what a dope!) caddell is probably the worst company i've worked for so far, but first one for overseas. so. hard to say. they're very poor with managment, don't seem to care if the project gets done, and they're horrible at getting material and tools. but other then that, they pay great! :lol: so anyways, i've only been over here bout 2.5mths now. the international thing really ain't all that bad.... so far.... but, i would rather my girlfriend to be here. but that's stuff to work out. but anyways, i feel a little like i may have bitten off a little too big of a bite for my first time. i'm chewing.... but it's still a little hard to swallow. like i said, this really ain't that bad... but there are some bad parts, and i'm just workin on swallowing them. but, onto the main questioning. first off, any helpful info for the newbies would be appreciated... but also... if i plan on leaving, what's the deal with this shanghi law thing? the caddell contract did state that if you leave on your own terms, that you will be charged for the whole plane ticket (coming and returning). i read up on another post, that in this case, that the shanghi thing is voided. but, i've also heard that this is not the case. so, does anyone have any definite answers on this case? thanks for any help. any lawers in the house???

phil

[Gabriele]

I'm not a lawyer, so take this as just "information".

I worked at a military installation out in the middle of the Pacific, from time to time people would leave befor their contract's were up and they had to pay their own way back home. However I had been informed that the "rule" you refer to was to make sure companies didn't "dump" you overseas, but had to provide you transportation back to US soil.

Some guys got jobs with other companies that would pick up their transportation costs.

Every guy I knew that drug up from the project I was on, another site, paid their own way out.

Good luck and hang in there on your project overseas, it will be worth it. Get out and experience the culture.

[billiards4me]

here is that "key" part from our caddell contract. i'm sure this is waiving any of my rights... but, if that shanghi thing superceeds this, that sure would be nice to know.

SECTION 14 ? TERMINATION:

(a) If Employee is in violation of this agreement, Employer may terminate for cause. "Cause" includes, but is not limited to, refusal to perform work, incompetence or carelessness, fighting, insubordination, security violation, excessive use of narcotics or alcoholic beverages, dishonesty, and failure to abide by local laws and customs.

(b) If Employee quits or is terminated for cause prior to the end of the term, Employer shall owe no obligation to Employee other than to make payment for the period actually worked. Furthermore, if Employee quits prior to fulfillment of the term of the project employment as stipulated in Section 1, Employee agrees to forfeit and be liable to reimburse Employer for expenses and cost of transportation from point of origin to the project location. Employee grants the Employer the right to deduct said cost from any compensation due or which may become due the Employee.


again, thanks for any input.

[HeadRat]

Furthermore, if Employee quits prior to fulfillment of the term of the project employment as stipulated in Section 1, Employee agrees to forfeit and be liable to reimburse Employer for expenses and cost of transportation from point of origin to the project location. Employee grants the Employer the right to deduct said cost from any compensation due or which may become due the Employee.And that is why, when you get a contract with that in it, you highlight this this section, send it back saying you want that removed. Because, yes, it forfeits your rights.

[billiards4me]

well poop, that's no fun. oh well, things you find out along the way i guess. hey mr. head rat, i just wanted to let you know i got that t-shirt and tool, well, actually my g/f at home got it. the shirt looks REALLY nice. you guys are doing a bang up job. keep it up. thanks again.

[emerse]

If you quit and wanted to fight the payment for you flight and hrs worked you would probably win. However the company is counting on you not wasting your time in the states getting a lawyer and having to wait around to go to court. I have heard before from many people that these contracts are not worth more than toilet paper. Did you sign this contract in front of anyone belonging to the company? If not was there a Notary there to sign it saying you signed the contact? If not then you have a case…
:cheers

[TheJester]

The part about the notary is true, that is a legal fact, however, the part about people fighting the companies on this last part, is something I've only heard people say they were going to do. I've never heard of someone actually doing it, let alone winning.
It's kind of like having an embassy job come in on time, but with that, I've never heard of it happening or seen it.

Catching the Easter Bunny might be easier

[billiards4me]

well, i guess for the most part, it remains pretty shady. now, i did not sign in front of anyone, i was in a seperate office. and there was no notary. so, i guess if i wanted to pay some big bucks, i might be able to fight it. but like you said, no one has actually gotten a comfirmation of this happening. oh well, i am going to try to stick it out... it is good money. but, money ain't everything. so, day by day i guess. we'll see. thanks for all the help.

[Gabriele]

How long is your contract for, is it until "completion" or is there and end date?

We had a couple of guys drag up after a couple of months, their first job overseas.

[henmandan]

just keep your head down and dont let managment get to you. see the
Humor of it all and the days will fly by; you will see your girlfriend soon.
:cheers

[billiards4me]

thanks for the heads up. i'm sure i'm just sufferin from a case of "first time overseas." i'll be that every one of you guys on here will tell me it's better and better the next few times. day by day, that's all.

[TheJester]

If we all stick together, YES, it will get better.

[emerse]

On your first overseas job it does seem like it’s hell, but now you have the overseas “BUG”. If you were to go home after this job and work 9 to 5 and live paycheck to paycheck you will start to fell this BUG. I remember after my first overseas job I missed home, my friends and of course the girlfriend. I couldn’t wait to get home… Come to find out all my friends were doing the same thing as when I left, nothing changed. After a few weeks home I couldn’t wait to get back out on the road. This is the BUG… This is why I laugh when I hear people say this is there last one, it never is. I always seem to run into them a few jobs down the road.
Hang in there man it and the working conditions will get better.
:cheers

[billiards4me]

hey all. thanks for the little "pep talks." it's good to hear that just about everyone's gotten the "bug" at some point. i hate soundin like a freakin pansey.... but, i'm takin it as pretty normal. anyways, thanks for the heads up. later guys.

[drifter]

Doing this work DOES get in your blood. And it doesn't take long...just one job and your'e hooked.

The working conditions may or may not get better; you just get used to this shit. Some jobs are better than others. Sounds like your first one is not one of the best ones. Thats OK because you can look forward to a better one next time out.