The situation: A foreign employee at a Chinese company does not receive their salary for three consecutive months, with the employer citing a temporary financial difficulty.
Applicable law: Article 30 of China's Labor Contract Law (2007) requires the employer to pay wages in full and on time; Article 38 allows the employee to terminate the contract immediately and recover overdue wages plus an equal additional indemnity (Article 85).
Typical outcome: Filing a complaint with the Human Resources and Social Security bureau, then the Labor Arbitration Committee if necessary, resulting in an order for immediate payment with late-payment penalties.
👷 Labour disputes · Awareness case
Withheld Wages — The Salary That Never Arrives · Yalla China
🤝 Governing law: 劳动合同法 / Labor Contract Law 2007
The employer cites company losses and delays salary month after month — what are your rights and how do you reclaim them?
Illustrative, general educational examples — not real specific facts and not legal advice; for awareness only. For an actual situation, consult a licensed lawyer.
🎓 The lesson / takeaway
Lesson: Keep all employment contracts, payslips and payment receipts. If wages are delayed, submit a written complaint to the employer first, then to the relevant authorities if not resolved within a week. Chinese law fully protects foreign employees in the same way as local employees.
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026