China needs to do better to hire and keep professional expats

Although China is doing better at employing and keeping foreign professionals, more improvements needs to be made, according to a study on employment of foreign experts by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs.

Tomas Ermolaev, Head of Security with Audi China, at work in his office. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The China Society for Research on International Professional Personnel Exchange and Development was conducted in 2014 based on 2,031 questionnaires completed by expats who are already working in China, as well as their employers.

According to the report, China is still a very attractive destination for foreign professionals, dominated by male foreign professionals (73.8 percent male vs. 26.2 percent female,) with 34 percent from North America, 28 percent from European countries and 21 percent from Asia.

A majority of questionnaire participants already had working experiences in China. Nearly half of participants have worked in China for 0-5 years, 30 percent for 5-10 years and 20.4 percent with more than a decade of professional experience in China.

In a question that allowed multiple choices, nearly 70 percent of participants said they chose to work in China because of China's prospects, 42 percent said they were attracted by China's history and culture and 57 percent said their professional expertise were advantageous in China's market.

Language and policies still a big barrier

Mastery of the Chinese language remains a big barrier for foreign expats working in China. According to the report, nearly 73 percent of expats in China understood only simple words in Chinese. Eighteen percent of expats understood most of spoken Chinese but could not speak on their own, 8 percent could speak simple Chinese and 1 percent did not know any Chinese.

Furthermore, some expats said they were not happy with the education provided for their accompanying children and medical and social insurances offered by their employers.

Aside from language, the tedious application procedure for a work visa in China seemed to be the biggest issue that troubled expats. Currently, expats with work visas in China must apply for a renewal on an annual basis. In the questionnaire, some suggested longer working visa durations for those who plan to work for a long period of time in China. Employers also called for "simpler application procedures for work visas" for their foreign employees.

When asked which areas could be improved for foreign expats, 56.9 percent answered better compensation and welfare. Out of 462 employers who have participated, 230 employers said there was a significant gap between the salaries they offer and the figures their foreign employees desire, some reaching as high as 49.8 percent.