Job Discussion Forums

Super Modal · Joined: 07 Oct 2012 Posts: 46 Location: Jeddah

I've been searching for information about the cut off age for hiring in Oman and the retirement age. I'll be 50 next month, so I have to consider whether it's a good idea to leave my job in Jeddah where the retirement age is 60.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Many jobs are being cut in Saudi, so if you want to move over to Oman, now would probably be the time to do so. (but that job could be Omanized too) I know many teachers in Oman who are between 65-75 years old and been there for years. (these are not in the contractor jobs - these are direct hires)

Nothing is guaranteed anymore in the Gulf. Once you reach the age of 55, getting hired will be very difficult, but in Oman if they are happy with your work, age tends not to affect the employer's ability to renew your contract.

VS

Super Modal · Joined: 07 Oct 2012 Posts: 46 Location: Jeddah

Yes, I'm looking for direct-hire jobs in Oman. KSA is unpredictable right now.

EFL Educator · Joined: 17 Jul 2013 Posts: 988 Location: Cape Town

Try to find a direct hire job in the interior of Oman.....many teachers there are ageless!!

Whatever will be · Joined: 05 Feb 2014 Posts: 303

Since the beginning of the oil crisis, the hostility towards foreigners has grown massively as they are seen to take away jobs from the locals. Be prepared for verbal abuse, spitting in your face and the (albeit) rare physical attack.

Teachers leaving have not been replaced. Instead, their students have been distributed, resulting in class sizes of 40 plus students. Teaching hours were increased. A lot of the IT and Administration duties (enrolment of students, management of online materials) are pushed on to teachers.
The workload is massive now.
Salary and benefits have been cut.
Living costs are rising due to inflation.

The absolute ruler is close to death's door (cancer).
There is no heir. Unrest (similar to the Arab spring) and chaos is expected as wanna-be rulers will fight for Power.

If this situation is better than your current one: go for it!

balqis · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 373

You mean EFL Educator, they are ghosts, to develop a joke rolling along your favourite rails....

balqis

1st Sgt Welsh · Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2016 7:05 am Post subject:

madrileno · Joined: 19 Aug 2010 Posts: 270 Location: Salalah, Oman

parched · Joined: 02 Jul 2015 Posts: 18

I have not experienced hostility from the locals during my time here. I would describe their behavior in general as polite and friendly.

Tazz · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 512 Location: Jakarta

Only real hostility I ever felt was on a daily basis when those young Omani males were herded into the caravans, like cattle, for English education....

Whatever will be · Joined: 05 Feb 2014 Posts: 303

Resentments, passive-aggressive behaviour (allocating the worst students to your class only),sabotage (witholding or giving false Information) ostracism (switching to Arab to exclude you from the conversation) and bullying have always gone on but now it is a notch up to open hostility. The level of hostilitywill depend on the colour of skin, the gender and the place in the pecking order.
White, male native speakers with years of teaching experience and at least a Masters degree will not get bothered. Especially not, if they are handsome.

A dark skinned female newbie teacher gets it.

Anybody "white" is assumed to be a tourist in public places and is spared grief.

Racism is alive and well in this country, it has been exasperated by local people's fear for their jobs/ comfortable lifestyle. The oil crisis and economical uncertainty brings out the worst in people.

Super Modal · Joined: 07 Oct 2012 Posts: 46 Location: Jeddah

Unfortunately, this is the case all over the world and throughout history. Look at the election results in the USA.

Whatever will be · Joined: 05 Feb 2014 Posts: 303

True, but it has intensified in Oman since the oil crisis.

The OP was asking for a less uncertain/ troublesome location. Hence, the financial pressure on the locals and their coping strategy of blaming and taking it out on the "foreigners" is an issue.
As is the impending death of the absolute ruler, who had not been seen in public all year due to ill health. There is no heir, which will cause fighting amongst possible incumbents.
Troubles on a large schale are ahead.
Then again: it might still be better than living in Saudi Arabia.

The grass is always greener on the other side.

balancedsentiments · Joined: 03 Jul 2012 Posts: 32

Super Modal, please ignore most of what you've read. 14 years in-country and I've seen a lot of people hit retirement age.
[b]
[b]All[/b] government jobs come with a mandatory retirement age of 60.[/b] The exception is SQU, because they don't fall under any ministry, so they can make their own rules.

Things are more flexible in the private sector. They can get labour approvals well beyond that if they supply a justification that's accepted.

What does that mean for us? It doesn't really matter who hires you for the job. If they don't want to keep you on, they'll just say that you've hit 60 and good-bye. If they want to keep you, they will. If you're an agency hire, they'll give the company the necessary justification. If you're employed directly by a ministry, they'll transfer you to an agency, once again with the necessary paperwork.[b][/b]

Government or agency, which is better? Another time.

balqis · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 373

[quote="balancedsentiments"]Super Modal, please ignore most of what you've read.

thanks!

balqis