Ask Headmaster Ken

I read that effective October 15, we laowai will be enrolled in the Chinese social service system. Do you guys know anything about this? Any comments?

Foreigner Participation in China’s Social Insurance System Now Mandatory

It is true that foreigners are scheduled to be making contributions to the Chinese social system.

Typically, as policies and regulations roll down from Beijing, there is a delay as the officials at lower levels develop their own interpretation and enforcement means. Thus, I would not be at all surprised to see this implemented at different times in different places and perhaps even with different interpretations of the intent of the policy.

Right now, everybody is simply waiting for the instructions on how to implement it. It could be months before we get something concrete.

{Editor's note: I've made this a sticky and we'll continue to update this thread as we learn of new developments in regard to mandatory participation in the China's Social Insurance System. Our initial take on this is that it is going to be more of a burden on foreign teachers than it will be a help.}