Job Discussion Forums

[fledex]

Hopefully, they won't always find someone else for much longer. People working for some of these companies tell me they haven't been getting paid or reimbursed for travel this Fall. Friends say, if you are on a non-employment visa, you probably won't get a vacation out of the country.

[Mysterious]

I think ICEAT/ED EX experiences will be different for everyone.

As far as the new clock checking in and out system, I remember my husband telling me about it. We thought it was annoying, but turns out it's not really a big deal. He just makes sure he goes in on time.

And yep, you do get deducted pay if you miss a day.. but if you're ill, you can get a doctors note and they WILL pay you. My husband has done this and so have other people, some needing more than three days of ill leave, but with a doctors note, it has been fine.

Last year's air fees were reimbursed for my husband and my whole family. Took a few months, but they did it. Not sure if it will be the same this year...

Generally my husband has no serious complaints with ICEAT. It's more like little annoying small things.. like last minute emails from the university directly telling them that they have such and such meetings the following day, for example. Or when it comes to comes to being observed they give all the details out too late... a lot of the problems are actually directly linked to the university itself.. not the recruitment companies.

The pay was one thing that worried me after reading all the horrid stories on the forum before coming out here. Reading so often that companies didn't pay their employees for months! This was my main concern, but thankfully we have not experience that problem at all. Paid on time every month. I think once or twice it was a couple of days late, but there have also been times when it's been one or two days early, too.

[fledex]

Experiences with them might be different for everyone, but unlikely to be good for anyone working for them in the end. When finally leaving KSA or working for a better employer in KSA, look at Edex or ICEAT in hindsight and tell us what you see.

I'm not waiting for it, but I haven't been paid what they owe me (around $4,000) in over two years. I left them early because I knew it would never come.

[Mysterious]

We're in the middle of the second year with ICEAT. So long as they don't mess us around when it comes to the yearly roundtrip payments, I can see ourselves staying with them for a third year. Like I said, there are problems, there are always going to be problems, but nothing too strong that my husband has had enough of them altogether. We get paid on time, every month, and like I said, this was our main concern.

If anything, it's the laziness of students that bother him, but he knows this is a problem in all universities, so it's not a good enough reason to leave. We knew someone who was at Madeenah university, and it was his first job. He was there for a couple of years and couldn't stand students who didn't want to learn.. so he left.. and applied elsewhere afterwards, but never got a job. Now he's stuck. He regrets leaving.

Of course, in an ideal world, we would prefer direct hire, anyway. Just not a lot of universities that do it, sadly. Plus, we want to stay in this city.

I just REALLY hope that nothing too serious happens where we have to leave. I'd like to settle a bit in one place, and my husband in one job, too.

[meInst]

[nomad soul]

[acer994]

I am at KSU now. Not for long. I resigned recently. I am with ICEAT, not EdEx. I stuck it out for five and a half months.

Same old students. Same old Saudi Arabia.

To its credit, the university does try. There are a lot desperate people here. Visa extensions of one month or two weeks do not do my passport any good either.

The main problem is ICEAT . ICEAT cannot get its act together. Late payments, wrong payments. Teachers running round to Riyadh bank to cash cheques. Bla bla bla.

No iqama till doomsday (unless you pay 2000SAR and find a private sponsor or are a member of that select group of teachers with iqamas, mainly those with wives/families who are given preference). The policy on issuing iqamas is a complete mystery. Some get one within a few months, some within six months. Each case is different. In my case, we were told that we will have to wait until next year to get one. If they carry on issuing work visit visas, then the situation will be the same for new teachers recruited by ICEAT. Who cares!

Had enough

If you like fun and games, then come to KSU. If you like 'virtual prisoner' status because you are on a work visit visa, then come to KSU. If you plan on exploring the country, then come to KSU.

You will not pass go and you will not collect £200. Go straight to jail.

Yeah, it's that good!

Any questions? PM me if you like. I am still here, unfortunately

[teachr11]

[acer994]

[Mysterious]

Thanks, nomad.

meInst, when Is said the payments are on time.. I think you took me a little too literally.. what I meant by that was that we don't go months without payments. Hubby has been paid every month since he came out here a year and a half ago. Not one time was it delayed for over 2 days (from what I remember). So although I say one or two days.. in my eyes, that's not classed as a real delay. This was our main area of concern because many people have moaned on the forum from many other companies that they don't get paid even three months into a contract! Thankfully this has never been the case for my husband. So yes, one or two days, for us, is nothing. I see that as being paid on time when you compare it to the other horror stories. Sorry for not expressing myself clearer before.

acer, I'm sorry it hasn't worked out for you. I know it took my husband about 9 months to get his iqama. And since then payments go straight to his bank account. He did say they get paid before those who are using cheques though. So I imagine once you got the iqama it would be no different to what he is experience. But you're leaving, so I hope it all works out for you and that you find something better than ICEAT.

ICEAT have also started to give monthly bonuses of I think 200 Riyals for coming in every day. That's something that's new. And I know some people have received that.

[meInst]

[scot47]

EFL Staffrooms in KSA are full of desperate cases.

[acer994]

[readytotravel]

Mysterious, you seem like a nice person. You handled meInst's condescension well. I could take a page from your playbook! Keep being positive and ignore the bitter and cynical. There are those who can't stand to see people who actually have a decent experience in KSA. Obviously there is something wrong with you and I suggest you be concerned about that .

[acer994]

[quote="acer994"]