Bruce and Sheamus work in Huadu about 90 minutes north of Guangzhou in Guangdong. They have a language academy which, in fact, was growing up until around mid-February 2020.  So, the demand is there however the logistics don’t match.

Huadu District. Image via www.agoda.com

Ark Foreign Services

PandaBoo

The Public Safety Bureau, commonly known as PSB, specifically came to their business asking to halt operations in person.  They also required a nucleic acid test in mid-February for the two guys and the owner Ms. Robin. They did not test the other staff which is a female Chinese teacher, secretary, cook/cleaner.

Representation only

The owner had explained that she works most of the time remotely.

The PSB insisted that they follow the rules since they have the business license in use for “foreigners”. Mind you not the local authority Health Department came to visit. They also asked to show their passport and take photos as well as a red fingerprint, when, of course, this is already on record.

One of the guys’ had not left China and the last entry passport was around 18 months ago.

Representation only. Image via www.theindependentbd.com

Such occurrences are more frequent to foreigners here.

The demand for foreign language instruction continues to grow slightly.  The available visas have been postponed as well as the processing.

It is kind of a limbo period in which native English instructors are needed at all levels.  However the treatment is uneven.

Representation only. Image via www.goabroad.com

So is the plight here to stay?

Kindergartens are open with the students either online or following social distancing. Mike from Ontario works at one in Kunming. He says that the staff is required to attend work however there are no students there.

They are not currently hiring but he sees that his coworker, Rebecca, will leave after her contract expires in August. Granted if she can get a flight and if borders are open at that time.

A recruiter from Panda Time has stated his assumptions and beliefs with the timeline below.

Popular websites for ESL also leave the adverts up but do not give a beginning employment date.

Until restrictions improve and foreigners hold more value to themselves, their language face will be treated as a lower-class guest worker.

One can see other articles such as the Shenzhen North Train Station, which in fact was quite mild compared to others. Any number of authorities, volunteers, or guys wearing the outfit insist on taking a plethora of photos with personally identifiable information.

Who does what with it, and where it is stored is an important question.

And this situation doesn’t look like it will improve anytime soon.  

Author’s note:  Any blatant form of discrimination can be reported to the hotline mentioned on ExpatRights.

In case you need to report any act of discrimination – dial 1258088

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