Under Chinese laws and regulations, only those legally employed foreign employees in China are protected by Chinese labor laws.  

In China, illegal employment of foreigners may include but not limited to the following circumstances:

(1) Working in China without a legitimate working permit card.

(2) Working for one company while holding a working permit card issued under the name of another company.

(3) His/her working permit card was issued by the authority in one city but he/she is actually works and lives in another city.

(4) The post specified in the working permit card is inconsistent with the job post he/she is actually performing. For example, if a foreigner who holds a managing post working card actually work as a teacher, coach or other position with special requirements could be charged with illegal working in China.

For any foreigners illegally working in China, they could face penalties such as detention, fine and deportation. If they have a labor dispute with their employer, they may find it is difficult to protect their legitimate rights and interests according to China's labor laws.