This is the way in which about 95% of "International" Schools function in India. They are neither international by curriculum nor by administration. Then how could you describe these schools as International Schools? They may have English speaking teachers, there may be a system that no student would be permitted to speak Hindi or the local language, and the fees that they charge would be equal to the one charged abroad.. But there will be no system for recruitment of faculty, fixation of and payment of salaries to them etc. In most cases the only criterion would be that the guy should be good in English speaking and should come from a wealthy family, so that she or he would not demand much or go for collective bargaining.
Coming to the situation, the basic thing to be considered is that whether the state where this school is situated has got any minimum wages (salary) fixed for private unaided schools. If no such notification exists, you cannot demand a fair salary. Again, in the absence of an appointment order showing clearly the compensation, we can not say that we are underpaid. Now, if there has been a verbal agreement that the salary would be Rs 12000 and there happens to be a deduction of 24%, then it should be PF contribution from the both, ie, employee and the employer. That is illegal and can be addressed. But what would be the end result? You will get a termination letter and they will get another person with Rs 10000 salary. This is because, this is the only industry, I feel, where we can get labour(Skilled and NOBLE labour) with even less than Rs 5000 per month.
Madhu.T.K