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Posiba shuts down office in Vietnam without paying their staff

59 points by EDreicer ↗ HN
Company hasn't paid the staff since Jun 2016. Now CEO decides to close office in VN without clear path to pay us. PosibaVn is the core engineering team and it's not their failure.

Is there anyone can help us?

23 comments

[ 15.1 ms ] story [ 366 ms ] thread
EDreicer
It's not an internal problem. It's how some US start-up companies are working in Vietnam, and it's also a problem in Vietnam laws system that hasn't any strict rules for FDI companies.

Start-up is hard, but it's not hard this way when the whole staff are not paid.

We need you to raise this problem on the start-up environments. Let me know what you think.

mrwhite200766
I agree, we should raise this problem to the start-up environments, but where and how to raise?
EDreicer
HackerNews is where we start. The team tries with layer in Vietnam, but that doesn't really help as for FDI companies all money comes from US. No money in VN.
huu2uan
the dark side of startups :(
jessica_do
really a nightmare for the employee
EDreicer
we have been waiting for months (yes it's 6 months) with "soon", "updates" and no money. The first time I've seen this kind of company in my life.

Maybe a good chance to learn something new ... phew!

jessica_do
It means the employee have to face with a big problem with their life, their career path and their future. It really a thing to learn!
ken0106
Shoul we raise some voice to draw attention and solve this in a peaceful way?
wiseup
Posiba paid only 1/10 of bills to contractors in America. And still owes pay to American employees.

I worked in the San Diego office and watched upper-management lie to their employees, contractors, and the few customers they had. Good, honest staff only stayed a few months before calling B.S. or getting let go (often with pay still owing). Any ex-employee who complained got contacted by a lawyer.

After observing the CEO up close and personal, I can tell you that, though rich and pampered herself, she is a sociopath. She can talk a mean streak of lies with out blinking, feels very little emotion and cannot feel empathy, and will not think twice before hurting anyone.

Someday she will get her comeuppance.

EDreicer
It's said to see our company is running in this situation, but it seems the CEO lost many chances to save us...

Was there any problem when company's laywer contacted ex-employeed? Is the Us laws system preventing you from suing the company, or you don't like / can't afford a court issue?

The team in VN tries to sue PosibaVn, and they will win. However, getting the full payment is another story when the company keeps saying they doesn't have anything to pay.

It's said to hear that company still owes pay to American employees; we here in Vn thought they were fully paid (I know CTO and some foreigners are not paid, though.)

It's nice if you would give me some contact points so we won't let this story go.

wiseup
You can't get money out of a bankrupt company. Suing would cost several thousands. According to American law, in a bankruptcy, employees get paid first, then contractors if anything is left. Suing will only lose you money, nothing to gain.
EDreicer
Except for time, it's free to sue PosibaVn in Vietnam (the company can't win for any reason)
[dead] wiseup
Posiba paid only 1/10 of bills to contractors in America. And still owes pay to American employees.

I worked in the San Diego office and watched upper-management lie to their employees, contractors, and the few customers they had. Good, honest staff only stayed a few months before calling B.S. or getting let go (often with pay still owing). Any ex-employee who complained got contacted by a lawyer.

After observing the CEO up close and personal, I can tell you that, though rich and pampered herself, she is a sociopath. She can talk a mean streak of lies with out blinking, feels very little emotion and cannot feel empathy, and will not think twice before hurting anyone.

Someday she will get her comeuppance.

Mrthanhtu
it's really a nightmare for Vietnam employee :(