Bad Italian Restaurant Employer

There is a popular good Italian Food restaurant in Shanghai which employs many Filipino staff whom have to work many busy hours to support the busy restaurant. However the staff are not treated well such as do not get paid for overtime that their employment contract says they are entitled to as well as other issues. Generally the staff put up with this as they have come a long way to Shanghai to find some work and have not so many options. If the staff give reasonable notice per the contract to leave employment of the restaurant, the restaurant refuses to provide the normal leaving papers which then causes issue with the staff to find new job and also to get visa renewal.


Is there any formal Shanghai Labour Bureau complaint process suitable for foreigners in Shanghai to go to, to raise legitimate breach of employment contract and other employment issues against a rogue employer. Seems these rogue foreign employers can get away with this unlike in their home country.


Any advice to help the hard working staff stand up to this employer behaviour is welcome.

Do you realise how the local Chinese workers are being 'treated'? They're more likely to be working harder and aren't getting paid as well. Wouldn't changing to another restaurant be easier?

The foreign employers in Shanghai are certainly restrained by the Labor Law of People's Republic of China. They should pay for overtime which is the right of each employee working in China. Such contracts saying they are entitled not to do so is definitely inoperative.


Foreign employees who are being treated wrong can go to the Labor Arbitration Center to ask for help.


Hope it's helpful to you and anyone in the same situation.


My contact: 86-21-13817169022 (Linda Sun)