Ok, well, I've never taught in Taiwan so I'm no expert but generally, in contracts, there are financial penalties if you don't finish them...... nothing new in that.
In China, we can be liable for between USD 500 to USD 2000 if we breach the contract and leave.
What's new about the balance of power being with the employer? It has always been that way. They can say we breached the contract in many ways if they wish, ways that we never imagined we could and we can be fined....if we let them. If this is gonna happen, do a midnight runner because it's kinda obvious they don't want you there, so why should you stay.
If the job is only part time, then maybe you're not entitled to medical insurance or airfare reimbursement... I don't know how that works in Taiwan. I'd guess that because it's part time, you should already be there and these things are, or should be, covered by your fulltime, or main, employer so why should they cover any of those expenses....fair enough too when you think about it because most contracts clearly state that we can't work for anybody else but our main employer....yeah right! If the hours seem like fulltime, then you have every right to ask for the reimbursments because you'll have no chance to work anywhere else anyway!
Sounds like it was a good idea to decline their "invitation' to work for them..... don't be a fool, and good luck!
