Actually mali talaga yang mga contracts na yan, though it's some kind of protection for the employers if you decide to leave without finishing your contract. First of all, wrong in the sense that they are sending you for training for their own use. It's not your choice anyway. They send you because you are qualified to do the job. If you look at it, it's all at their very own advantage. Your only advantage is that you were able to travel, but mind you, at your own expense. Now, is it really an advantage where they gained from your knowledge but you pay them back?

I've talked to a lawyer years back regarding this as we have the same case concerning my bro-in-law and he told me that if it goes through legal, the employer will lose. According to him this is some form of slavery or hostage or blackmail. A company cannot withold your quest for growth just because they paid your training expenses, which is actually for their own benefit.

I also have a cousin before who works with Smart. Same thing, he got a contract due to the training. He got a job abroad, but he cannot leave because of this contract. I talked to him and told him to ignore that contract and leave. Now he's happily working abroad.

For me, it's just a ploy where the employers is just protecting their investment, but it's one-sided and unfair for the employees. Everybody should share the risks and besides if they handle their employees fairly, they will gain their utmost loyalty.