Job Discussion Forums

[fledex]

OK, let's try to stay on subject and not make personal attacks so that people can stay current on whether there is any change at Edex. Don't get the thread locked.

The history--Edex has signed contracts to place people at Imam Mohammed Univ. in Riyadh, but when the teachers arrived, they were sent to Qassim, and after two years never saw Imam Mohammed Univ. in Riyadh. Some were promised higher salaries for this change, but never received the extra money. Edex has not given many teachers their tickets home or their vacation pay, or they have prorated the vacation pay and sent them home early. They have been late with paying teachers and have historically done it in big wads of cash in smoky hotel rooms. They have booked people from the wrong airports into the country; for example, telling people in Washington state to catch their flight out of Dulles airport in Washington D.C., and then asking the teacher to get there on their own, and trust Edex for the reimbursement. After staying with them two years, I had the sense to flee.

Now--Still having friends that are stuck at Edex for various reason -- usually because they don't hold a passport from a native English speaking country and can't find other jobs -- I am told that teachers still have to go to the company headquarters on occasion to collect their pay, waiting many hours for it on a vacation day. The buses that Edex provides to work or for shopping don't always run on time, and sometime don't come at all. They still move people from one apartment or city to another with less than 24 hours notice. In some cases, teachers still have to share apartments or hotel rooms. Vacations now are unpaid if you leave Saudi Arabia.

So take the reputation for what it is. These are the facts. The management is still the same as it always has been for the past few years. I feel the need to keep people current on Edex, as most people working for them would be hard pressed to say anything against the company if they want to receive their full pay before leaving.

[JerkyBoy]

If their shuttle buses don't run on time, do they still fine you for arriving late to work?

[EnglishDoYouSpeakIt]

I've made the mistake of giving my honest opinion here and was lambasted.

I am on a Iqama and I take the housing allowance. I only have to deal with EdEx about once a month to get paid, and I could set up direct deposit, but I actually like the opportunity to go to the mass pay-outs and see some other teachers and the management. I get paid on time, I am happy with where I teach.


If you're going to be on a visit visa and live at company housing and rely on company transportation you might be singing a different tune. My advice:

Take the housing allowance. Get your own furnished apartment (You can get one for under 2,800, with internet.

Companies like Avis will rent you a car for 2,000 riyals a month. If you have a US drivers license and a credit card you are good to go. You don't need a saudi license if you are on a visit visa.

Your housing allowance I believe is something like 3,500. Alone, yes you will be spending some of your salary, but having a car and your independence is really worth it, in my opinion. And if you find a room mate who also teaches at the same university as you, you can get a two bedroom for a little more and also share the car. (Works best if you are friends), but in that case you are not spending your whole housing allowance.

Just an option.

P.S. When EdEx started out we were staying in the Boudl. A beautiful hotel with free breakfast and room service and free cleaning, fresh towels, the golden age of company housing...

[fledex]

Yeah, but don't forget the Central Intelligence Department guys who sat in the lounge of the Boudl watching us when we came or went, most of the time following us but never offering a ride. They showed some of us their ankle holstered guns once, and the truck of their car had more high powered stuff. Also, it's nice that you can rent an apartment, but would that be realistic for the many teachers who have been moved to another university with less than 24 hours notice?

[EnglishDoYouSpeakIt]

[fledex]

[EnglishDoYouSpeakIt]

If you're renting a place and you have to leave early they will return the difference to you, at least from what I have experienced. I'm sorry you had such a rough time that you're willing to make warning the world of the terrors of EdEx such a passion. I hope you find your dream ESL job in some worry-free utopia where the buses run on time and you teach two hours a day to perfectly mannered students from your own company-rented villa with two hot tubs and a ocean view next to a waterfall and In-and-Out burger. Where majestic rare parrots quietly regal you with quaint rhythms that lull you to sleep on your cashmere hammock as your once-worn clothes are donated to central Africa and the latest fashions are hung up in your walk-in closets by your well paid and overly content maid.