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MahaGala
Joined: 09 Dec 2011
Posts: 21
Location: Shenzhen, PRC
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 Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 4:25 pm Post subject: Assrooh Athakiyah - Riyadh - Any feedback? |
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Salam Alaykum, dear forum members! 
Today, I have been offered a 1-year contract as an English Instructor by a company called "Assrooh Athakiyah" . The pay they offer is 11'250 SAR p/month+accomodation+med. insurance. It seems threre's no Iqama involved.
I am an Australian teacher (qualified teacher status), majoring in English (Graduate Diploma in Education), male, white, single, 29 yrs old. Non-Muslim, but am aware of what Saudi is about. Also heard stories of teachers being dismiss w/o any sound reason after the 3 month probation. 
So, I am wondering if anyone has worked for this company or heard of it? Any feedback?
Thanks in advance. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 5:04 pm Post subject: |
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| Never heard of them, but as some posters delight in pointing out I am VERY OLD and left KSA in 2011. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 5:07 pm Post subject: |
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| Frankly, the lousy pay and inability to obtain an iqama are enough of a red flag to move on. |
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MahaGala
Joined: 09 Dec 2011
Posts: 21
Location: Shenzhen, PRC
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| Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 5:15 pm Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| Frankly, the lousy pay and inability to obtain an iqama are enough of a red flag to move on. |
I realize there are some dodgy employers out there in KSA ( I've read threads on EdEx and the like...) . What would be the worst-case scenario though? Being fired with no pay and no flight reimbursement?
The pay seems OK, plus the accommodation. That's a better deal than what I've been offered in any of the far eastern countries thus far. But then, I do realize there are sacrifices to be made in exchange...
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 6:33 pm Post subject: |
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| MahaGala wrote: |
| What would be the worst-case scenario though? Being fired with no pay and no flight reimbursement? |
Getting fired would be the least of your problems. How about working under a visa that doesn't lead to legal employment nor grant you the right to legally reside in KSA (via an iqama). If you'd been following the recent news out of the Kingdom about the government's major crackdown on illegal workers, I doubt you'd consider this job offer. That's not to say you'd ever get caught, but why risk it. By the way, given that you were offered a one -year contract, did you ask the recruiter why the company doesn't request proper employment visas for workers? |
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Muhammed Abbas Khan
Joined: 04 Jan 2011
Posts: 73
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| Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 12:36 am Post subject: |
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The organisation as named above is the Saudi Electronic University. This is an article I came across:
http://www.arabnews.com/sr-355-million-budget-help-seu-fulfill-its-objective
Of course you would need a regular work visa. Anything else should raise a red flag. Also, you could find the organisation on Linkedin, and then try and message Linkedin members who work there.
Whether or not they respond to unsolicited messages is another matter.
Regards,
Abbas |
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MahaGala
Joined: 09 Dec 2011
Posts: 21
Location: Shenzhen, PRC
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| Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 1:54 am Post subject: |
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Okay, here's a brief update...
I have signed the contract and am now in the process of getting all the required documentation together for an IQAMA! )) The recruiter stated there shouldn't be a problem in obtaining one. So that's a huge burden of doubt off my shoulders concerning the 'legality' of the contract offered !... 
The contract commences at the end of February.
I still may change my mind though, since I had another reasonable offer from a school in China.
Will make the final decision by the end of this week. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 5:34 am Post subject: |
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| MahaGala wrote: |
| I have signed the contract and am now in the process of getting all the required documentation together for an IQAMA! )) The recruiter stated there shouldn't be a problem in obtaining one. So that's a huge burden of doubt off my shoulders concerning the 'legality' of the contract offered !... |
For clarification, the application for a residence permit (iqama) is submitted by the employer within 90 days of arrival in Saudi Arabia and not while you're in your home country. It's the employment visa that allows legal entry into the country for employment purposes. The visa process entails more than gathering documentation. You must be tested for umpteen diseases/disorders, have a physical exam, provide a criminal background report, and have your academic credentials authenticated/attested---all done in your home country.
| Quote: |
| The contract commences at the end of February. |
Given the visa process from the employer initializing things at their end to you receiving your visa in your passport, there's no guarantee you'll start the end of February. And frankly, your employment commences with the date of your arrival---once you land in Saudi Arabia and sign the actual contract in person. |
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MahaGala
Joined: 09 Dec 2011
Posts: 21
Location: Shenzhen, PRC
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| Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 6:50 am Post subject: |
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[quote="nomad soul"]
| MahaGala wrote: |
| I have signed the contract and am now in the process of getting all the required documentation together for an IQAMA! )) The recruiter stated there shouldn't be a problem in obtaining one. So that's a huge burden of doubt off my shoulders concerning the 'legality' of the contract offered !... |
For clarification, the application for a residence permit (iqama) is submitted by the employer within 90 days of arrival in Saudi Arabia and not while you're in your home country. It's the employment visa that allows legal entry into the country for employment purposes. The visa process entails more than gathering documentation. You must be tested for umpteen diseases/disorders, have a physical exam, provide a criminal background report, and have your academic credentials authenticated/attested---all done in your home country.
[quote]
Well, then it must be the Work Visa that leads to iqama being issued once I'm in Saudi.
Anyhow, I am to undergo all the medical tests+ provide the original criminal background check + the academic credentials.
However, I won't be issued my Postgraduate Diploma until the end of March. Nevertheless, both, the employer and the Saudi consulate said they'll provide me with a visa as long as I send them an original letter from my university, stating that I've completed the course. The letter can be notarized in Canberra, at the agency that acts as a mediator with the Saudi Consulate ( it's called "CLS") .
See what happens, I'll make up my mind by Friday. |
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MahaGala
Joined: 09 Dec 2011
Posts: 21
Location: Shenzhen, PRC
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| Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 6:56 am Post subject: |
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oh by the way!
I didn't apply to 'Asrooh Athakiyah' directly. It was through an employer called " GULF CONNECT RECRUITMENT" . Has anyone here been hired through those guys?
They seem to be located in South Africa for some reason. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 8:17 am Post subject: |
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| MahaGala wrote: |
| I didn't apply to 'Asrooh Athakiyah' directly. It was through an employer called " GULF CONNECT RECRUITMENT" . |
I know nothing about this recruiter; however, recruiters and employers are generally two different entities. Outside recruiters, such as this one, are contracted by their client companies and organizations to screen, interview, and select potential job candidates based on the criteria set by the client (AKA the employer). Recruiters typically work on commission---that is, they receive a commission from the client for each successful hire.
When going through a recruiter for a job in KSA, always ask who the employer is---the entity that signs the contract as "employer." It may end up being one of the Kingdom's notorious contracting companies. |
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Jcray21
Joined: 09 Feb 2014
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 7:49 pm Post subject: |
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Hello nomad soul I received an offer from Assrooh Athakiyah as well. Do you have any update or information about them as it seems you heard from them earlier than I have. I also used the same recruiter it seems.
Thanks |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 8:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Jcray21 wrote: |
| Hello nomad soul I received an offer from Assrooh Athakiyah as well. Do you have any update or information about them as it seems you heard from them earlier than I have. I also used the same recruiter it seems. |
That question would be for MahaGala who accepted a position with this company---not me. |
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66be
Joined: 21 Aug 2011
Posts: 14
Location: Planet Earth
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 5:58 pm Post subject: |
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Saudi electronic University is now hiring for next September. Below is a brief article about SEU, followed by what we are looking for
Al-Mousa told the Saudi Press Agency the university will start to receive admission applications from July 25. Students can enroll in
the university’s Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs and Al-Mousa said he expects 6,500 students, over 60 percent of them
women, to enroll in the first semester.
He said the university offers studies in three faculties: Faculty of Administrative and Financial Sciences, Faculty of Computer and
Information Technology and Faculty of Health Sciences.
Assrooh Athakiyah
Saudi Arabia
Found this advert for last year - Does this help |
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jaffa
Joined: 25 Oct 2012
Posts: 403
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 6:14 pm Post subject: |
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| MahaGala wrote: |
| I still may change my mind though, since I had another reasonable offer from a school in China. |
If their offer is close to the Saudi one then go to China. Culturally and socially it's a way more interesting country (unless lying around on the floor with a load of men and eating sheep floats your boat) and they understand ethics and morals. 11,500 SR isn't much of a figure and many salaries in KSA are going DOWN for expats; UP for locals who do jack schitt. |
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