How do I get paid if working illegally?

I am employed by a Taiwanese company called XYZ (for example) but I have no ARC and no degree. I don’t teach english but work in an established industry in Taiwan. I don’t go to school either and the government is unaware that I am being employed in Taiwan. The problem I have is that the company cannot find a way to pay me. Several discussions have led to finding a company that will write a free lance contract with XYZ and then that company will pay me. So far, most companies contacted have declined doing this for legal risks. I have contacted a company through my network that will pay my salary to an offshore account, but they will charge me 10% of my wages for doing so.

The question I ask is whether I can receive some sort of work permit even though I have no degree?
Also, what kind of taxes would I pay?
Is their any other options I can look at?

I have been working here for 2 months without getting paid and my employment is secure but I’m paying out of pocket for Health and Dental coverage and the bills are going to add up soon. Thank you.

JEP

[quote=“JadeEmpirePlaya”]Is their any other options I can look at?

[/quote]

Er,… marry a local?

I believe that it is possible to be a short term international consultant. But, that is just hearsay.

That is what I have been looking at but finding a willing company to do that is not easy. But what about getting a work permit, can I get one without a degree?

Perhaps if you have sufficient verifiable experience in the field in which you are working. I believe the experience requirement MIGHT be 7 years, but I’m not at all sure of the actual amount.

Is there any valid reason that they can’t pay you in cash? Most people here that I know, legal or not, all get a fat envelope of cash every month.

That’s what I was thinking. Just write it off as a business expense like the delivery guy for water, a lot of water. This is a large company so they have a lot of checks and balances about this sort of thing. I guess the’re worried about getting audited or something sinister. Patience is running thin though.

If it’s a large and reputable company as you say, it’s impossible for them to issue you large bundles of cash on a regular basis. That wouldn’t fly with any auditor or accountant here. It’s not like one is dipping into the “petty cash” account to pay someone.

I’d suggest what Sandman said. See if you have any special qualifications/experiences that would allow you to “work legally” and get an ARC. If this company wants you to stay on, they should be open to working out some solution with you?

If you’d like, give my office a call at 02-6620-5062 or drop by the office and we can talk about it in more detail to see if we can’t come up with a work around. This isn’t the first time that’s happened in Taiwan to someone.

Details in the .sig.