Ask HN: Employer can't send me salary from US

2 points by evex ↗ HN
My employer is trying to send me my salary via wire transfer to lebanon,

but he can't because OFAC

http://www.wm.edu/offices/techtransfer/ExportControls/Regulations/OFAC/

We are considering Western Union as an option, but does OFAC apply to all money platforms in the US?

How can I recieve my salary from my employer?

9 comments

[ 3.0 ms ] story [ 30.4 ms ] thread
If you wanted it under the table, you could try a digital coin of some kind.
but switching it to cash would require some hard work here, unless I use some exchange service but that would make me lose some money...
Well you either get your money, or you dont, its your choice if its too much work for you then I suggest you find a new job.
Since it's illegal for a US company to work with contractors in your country you have little choice. If flagged by a US bank they can run into serious trouble.
If you pay your cards just right, get your boss to buy low and you can sell it high. Double profit ;)
It may be illegal for the employer to send any money to you if you live in a sanctioned country. It may have also been illegal for them to allow you to do any paid work for them. You should talk with an attorney in your country for further guidance on what can legally be done, unfortunately they may not be able to pay you until sanctions have been lifted.

They would have to check with their lawyers to see what they can legally do, if they disregard sanctions they can be imprisoned, fined and have their business immediately dissolved by the U.S. Government.

ok so it turns out there is a list of names that are black listed and not the 6 million citizens
"Depending on the country, OFAC programs may freeze assets of embargoed countries, prohibit payment of funds to individuals and countries on the embargo list, or prohibit provision of services to countries subject to US sanctions."

It looks like it's legal to provision services FROM the sanctioned country to the US, only payments to it are embargoed - so the OP can receive payments in another country?

Moneygram is cheap service too.

Can you open a bank account in a non-sanctioned country, and ask your employer to send your salary there? What about family or relatives overseas? If you play your cards right maybe you can domicile at a non-sanctioned country, "work from home", and work "while travelling" through Lebanon.