Technically that’s only true if both parties agree to it (e.g. with a clause in the contract that says the Chinese version prevails). On the other hand, the legal system here isn’t famous for respecting foreign languages… 
2 Likes
Yes, but no. The illegal parts can be severed.
OP’s question has more or less been answered, but I’ll add that it’s Labor Standards Act Art. 22 Par. 2 (iirc) that makes it illegal for the employer not to pay the worker’s wage/salary in full and on time. There’s an administrative penalty for violating that. Unlike in some parts of the world, the underpaid worker can only expect to get the amount of the underpayment plus a refund of the court fee (not the lawyer’s fee) in the event of a lawsuit – no damages on top unless something very unusual happened – but there’s still an incentive for the employer not to violate the LSA because the administrative penalty can be significant (if the labor department bothers to enforce it), and the employer is likely to spend a lot on legal advice.
Mediation through the labor department (not outsourced) is likely to be the best solution. Of course, when in doubt ask a lawyer.
4 Likes