Legality of a contract

[contractor]

Hi there,
I am about to take my first overseas contract and want to make sure I am in a safe position. The contract is 3 months initially then will be extended to 1 year. I did not received the contract yet, but just had the verbal offer. How can I make sure all commitments will be met? What if I do have some problems with pay, accommodation etc? I am very nervous about getting on a plane with a hope for things will be all right.

[rrr]

Some of the employers insist that you deposit your passport/academic certificates/repatriation amount with them while hiring foreigners for such contract work. You have to be comfortable with such conditions. Also make sure that you get to  know all the strings that are attached when they say 'contract renewable after 3 months'.

[dont do anything...]

until you have it all on paper

[M8]

Forget the verbal crap; that's all it is.  What you have on paper is what your deal is.  If they 'refuse' to put it on paper then you can't count on anything.

Also don't give up your documents; give them copies if they want evidence.  The documents are "yours" not theirs!!