Workplace reviews and discussion: 昭輝實業股份有限公司

Applying for the position of expatriate project manager at this company.

Basically, you will only be sent to one of two places: an automotive parts factory in Changshu, Suzhou, or one in Tieling, Liaoning, producing plastic injection-molded interior components.

Let’s start with the advantages:

1. Labor and health insurance are provided. Although this is legally required, many companies no longer provide it for expatriate positions.

2. The salary can be paid in New Taiwan dollars.

The disadvantages are simply too numerous to list—everything is bad.

You apply for a project manager position, but after joining, you will actually become a development manager.

They require fluent English, but in practice, all the counterparts are Tier 1 suppliers, so you do not need to interact with foreigners.

The overseas plants have been operating at a loss year after year. I heard that last year, Taiwanese employees did not receive year-end bonuses.

Before joining an overseas plant, you must first sign an advance-payment agreement. The company initially pays expenses such as airfare, quarantine hotels, and testing reports, but if you resign before completing one year, you must bear the loss yourself. Needless to say, you also have to pay for your own flight when resigning.

For various work-related purchases, travel and transportation, and meals, you must pay out of pocket first. The entire reimbursement process takes approximately two months or more. Those without substantial financial reserves are advised not to take the job.

There are four trips back to Taiwan, but you still have to pay for the airfare upfront yourself. The process also takes two months or more. Those without substantial financial reserves are advised not to take the job.

The managers in the plant’s production units are not professionally trained; they neither understand injection molding nor molds. The cooperating mold factory (which has the same owner as Chao Hui) is also very uncooperative. It is extremely difficult to get things done.

Morale within the plant is low. It feels like hardly anyone is working; everyone is waiting for the company to go under to see whether they can collect severance pay.

The boss’s thinking is unusual, always expecting results without spending money. If no one else will do the work, Taiwanese employees have to do it themselves. Do not expect any adjustments to the salary or benefits.

In short, if you are considering interviewing with or even joining this company and happen to see my post, I can only say that you are very lucky. But if you still insist on venturing into the tiger’s den, all I can do is wish you good luck.