I'm Malaysian having an offer to work in China, what is the package should consider?

Question

Malaysian owned manufacturing company expanded their plant 2 in China, I have interest in the offer for overlook the whole manufacturing operation, but do not know what type of package I should consider? In term of wages, duration of constract, how many trip of return to malaysia? how many day of holiday per trip shall I ask for? I have no experience on such offer detail, please let me have some suggestion and or you have such experience on the offer demand. Please advise.

Answer 1

can't say what typical expat packages are for Malays - I know that I worked for a large US corp that had ops in Penang, Phillipines, Korea, Thailand -

typical was your base pay did not change - however, there were adjustments made -

1- the company paid for housing for you and family

2- the company paid for schooling at private school for your children

3- there was extra money paid so you could shop for food etc..at stores that sold primarily to ex pats rather than to the locals

4- moving expenses for you and family were paid

5- storage of your household goods while you were away was paid

6- length of contract usually was 2 years minimum - and up to 5 years (5 years was typical)

7- Ex pats were allowed 30 days leave per year - included in this - they were allowed 2 trips (airfare paid-hotel expenses) back to home for them and family per year (by law US expats had to return at least one time per year)

8- the company also paid for a Public Accounting company to do your taxes - (Ernst & Young)

not sure how Malaysia income tax laws work - but for US expats - the housing, school, etc.... were all considered "income" - so -here is where it gets tricky - US companies also compensated their ex pats enough extra money so the employee did not have any additional tax burden.......

THIS IS CRITICAL - you don't want to find out that on the same pay you end up having to pay 20% more in income tax because of your housing/schools etc.....

good luck