Site Search:
 
Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Advice requested before applying in Oman
Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Oman
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Tazz



Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 512
Location: Jakarta

PostPosted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 9:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't think that everyone coming here needs to 'beware'of each and every recruiter-rather, they need to 'be aware' that things may not always be what they seem....and of course, have the economic potential to get out if things go pear shaped. Almost none of the recruiters that I'm aware of will really assist beyond what they need to do with regards to paperwork-and processing documents. But, threatening to drive a new hire to the airport-and put him/her on a plane straight back home unless he/she signs a contract- that differs vastly from the one they've previously seen, sounds a tad melodramatic to me....
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Whatever will be



Joined: 05 Feb 2014
Posts: 303

PostPosted: Wed Feb 12, 2014 7:46 am    Post subject: Bullying technique Reply with quote

In hindsight, it was probably just a bluff to bully me into signing.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
veiledsentiments



Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA

PostPosted: Wed Feb 12, 2014 4:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I suspect that they would have backed down if you had called their bluff. They would have then wheedled down to eventually signing it - perhaps with a change or two. Laughing

VS
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Whatever will be



Joined: 05 Feb 2014
Posts: 303

PostPosted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 12:32 pm    Post subject: Pay deductions Reply with quote

Anybody having experiences with pay deductions by the recruitment agency for hotel accommodation at the beginning of contract?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Gazoo1000



Joined: 22 Apr 2012
Posts: 59
Location: There

PostPosted: Sat May 17, 2014 12:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Muscat Gary,

Has the money changed since Hawthorn is now handling the hires of Colleges of Applied Sciences?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
MuscatGary



Joined: 03 Jun 2013
Posts: 1364
Location: Flying around the ME...

PostPosted: Sun May 18, 2014 8:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Gazoo1000 wrote:
Muscat Gary,

Has the money changed since Hawthorn is now handling the hires of Colleges of Applied Sciences?


Hawthorn have been recruiting for CAS for several years. The money is less than with direct hire from the MOHE but at least they do provide accommodation and pay from day one. The MOHE leave you to sort out your own accommodation and didn't pay anybody for the first five months. I personally think that coming here initially with an agent isn't a bad idea as its easier to settle in.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Whatever will be



Joined: 05 Feb 2014
Posts: 303

PostPosted: Sun May 18, 2014 11:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Al Nawa is another recruiter but does not assist with finding accommodation nor does it provide any.
Teachers are placed initially in a hotel. The cost is taken out of the teacher's pay.

It also does not pay from 'day one' but rather once all the paperwork (health test, finger printing, visa procedure) has been completed, which could take between 6 and 8 days.

Teachers get only paid, once they have arrived at the _college_ (not in the country) and work their first day, which is _after_ all the above listed formalities have been successfully completed.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
eternity



Joined: 04 Oct 2010
Posts: 1

PostPosted: Sun May 18, 2014 3:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Al Nawa doesn't pay annual flight tickets either.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Tazz



Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 512
Location: Jakarta

PostPosted: Mon May 19, 2014 3:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Never heard of Al Nawa before-they sound like the scummiest of the agencies....I thought the annual flight money was a legal requirement? The agency deducts from the salary for the time the employee is 'forced' to stay in a hotel? How the hell would anybody be able to arrange something in advance-and how would anybody be able to satisfactorily furnish a place on arrival without a considerable amount of savings brought with them? Some of these agencies need to get real....
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Whatever will be



Joined: 05 Feb 2014
Posts: 303

PostPosted: Mon May 19, 2014 3:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tazz: Correct, AL Nawa doesn't pay annual flights or for that matter a flight ticket for the teacher to go home at the end of the contract.

They also pay no gratuity/ end of service bonus.
Their medical insurance doesn't cover dental or accidents such as in injuries sustained through a car accident (most agencies don't cover that).

Other conditions that one might have fall under the category of pre-existing, through one's own fault (i.e. tripping over sticking out/uncovered pipes or other hazard that happens to be around buildings or on Omani street paths) and thus also are not covered.

CCN is another agencies that falls in that category.

It is impossible to arrange accommodation prior to having a residency card and bank account with at least 12 bank cheques to cover rent for the year, as these are needed to secure housing.

One might argue that whitegoods (fridge, washing machine), bed, TV, electronic appliances ,etc. are luxuries and not really necessary. Risky to buy/ invest all this money as long as you are under your probationary period and perhaps even after that, since labor laws are changing and you may not have a job after the summer holidays.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Tazz



Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 512
Location: Jakarta

PostPosted: Mon May 19, 2014 6:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Undoubtedly this is one of the major issues that potential new hires must be aware of-whatever you rent, wherever you rent it, it's likely to be 'unfurnished' and that means without AC's as well. Furnishing a place from scratch-is going to mean a considerable financial investment during first couple of months, especially since you'll need to deal with the transportation issue......and who knows, maybe the college won't want to hire you after the probationary period?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
MuscatGary



Joined: 03 Jun 2013
Posts: 1364
Location: Flying around the ME...

PostPosted: Mon May 19, 2014 7:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tazz wrote:
Undoubtedly this is one of the major issues that potential new hires must be aware of-whatever you rent, wherever you rent it, it's likely to be 'unfurnished' and that means without AC's as well. Furnishing a place from scratch-is going to mean a considerable financial investment during first couple of months, especially since you'll need to deal with the transportation issue......and who knows, maybe the college won't want to hire you after the probationary period?


Yep, if you don't have accommodation provided then you need to budget very carefully. If you're prepared to rough it and live in one room for the probationary period and eat out/takeaways then at the least you will probably need to buy:

one a/c at least
bed + bedding
chair/sofa
kettle
refrigerator

This would be very spartan living! As others have said there is then the transport issue which can be a problem if the accommodation you find isn't close to work (there are other problems associated with living too close to work!).

After the probationary period you would need to spend a lot more in order to live a reasonable lifestyle and have a home environment that allows you to relax and stay sane.

MOHE direct hires still have to find their own accommodation but are luckier in that they are given 1,800 OMR not long after arrival in order to buy furniture. This is called a 'soft loan' which depreciates by 25% each year, so if you stay for 4 years then no need to pay it back. However they are unlikely (it's been this way for the last 3 years) to be paid their salary for 4-5 months so need to take this into account. The College may help out with 'advances' but it would (and has been) only a fraction of the actual salary.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Whatever will be



Joined: 05 Feb 2014
Posts: 303

PostPosted: Mon May 19, 2014 8:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tazz and MuscatGary: good summary - thanks!

I would add a table to sit and use the laptop or have a cuppa.

Also some basic crockery and cutlery (cup for coffee/tea, glass for juice, spoons, knives to cut fruit/ vegetables/ salad, bowl (for cereal), plate (for cookies/ biscuits), can opener, etc. Then of course, sponges and detergent for cleaning those.

Other essential items: a soft mop to clean the floor, a squeezy mop to clean the wet areas like bathroom/kitchen, coat hangers (to prevent work clothes from crumbling) and a small bedside lamp.

Usually, a powerboard with multiple plugs is needed as there is generally only one in each room and thus not enough for computer/ recharging phone/ alarm clock/ lamp.

Even with the most spartan of set-ups, one will still need at least 200 Rial for an "indoor camping" lifestyle as all those little bits and pieces add up.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
veiledsentiments



Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA

PostPosted: Mon May 19, 2014 10:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Whatever will be wrote:
Tazz: Correct, AL Nawa doesn't pay annual flights or for that matter a flight ticket for the teacher to go home at the end of the contract.

They also pay no gratuity/ end of service bonus.

For sure the non payment of gratuity is contrary to Omani labor law and I do believe that the flights too are required by the law. Any and all employees of this recruiter should immediately report this to the Ministry.

VS
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
toko



Joined: 10 Oct 2011
Posts: 24
Location: Hong Kong

PostPosted: Tue May 20, 2014 1:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bahwan didn't cover flights home, really. They added a little bit of riyals to each month, and told us to use that for the flight home. Since we were at the lower end of the salary scale compared with other companies anyways...it was a cheap move. Confused I'm guessing that they currently practice this.

The costs for furnishing a home there really add up! Word of advice, if you can make it and are near enough, head to the IKEA in Dubai in a caravan with other teachers. The prices in Oman are like "pre-globalized" prices with globalized product. Shocked
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Oman All times are GMT
Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4  Next
Page 3 of 4

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group

Teaching Jobs in China
Teaching Jobs in China