Job Discussion Forums

[scot47]

Housing is provided. You will pay for utilities. Employers in KSA are required by the Labor Law either to provide accommodation or to pay a housing allowance.

[rosalind]

I'm sorry -- I wish I'd seen this thread before I started a new one on PMU! (I don't know what the deal is; I've been scouring this and other forums for information on PMU, and there's quite a lot of it, but it doesn't always seem to turn up readily. Maybe I need to hone my search-fu...)

I'll paraphrase what I wrote in that other thread (and perhaps close it if that's best? I'm not sure what forum policy is.)

"Let It Be Known: I have searched these forums. I have read the threads about PMU (Prince Mohamed bin Fahd University, in Khobar), from years past. I have scrutinized the horror stories. I have seen the tales of ill-treatment, of unliveable housing, of incompetent and unaccountable management.

I Have Read Them. Yes.

Having read them ... The tales of horror date back, mostly, to about 2010. They are impressive. They are also six years out of date.

Can anyone give input on what things are like there now? Within, say, the past couple of years?

I've had a Skype interview. (I didn't know who it was for until it had been arranged; I'd responded to a blind recruiter ad.) I've had an offer, for the women's section of the Prep year. The terms look good.

And, yes... I've been doing my research. I see horror stories on this forum (and I'm not trying to understate how awful they do look). That said, I've also seen much more positive, more recent, reviews elsewhere.

Can anyone give updated feedback?

They've given me three days to think about it. I've asked for an extension: that's really too little time for me to do due diligence. But I do want to gather my info as much as possible, and I would be very grateful for any recent(-ish?) experiences.

Thank you very much."

[rosalind]

Some further context: I find their offer really tempting, because it _looks_ like -- if it can be relied on? -- It _looks_ like better money than it seems I'd be likely to find almost anywhere else, given the apparent recent decline in salaries, and my lack of connections or experience in the Gulf.

(I have an English BA, a Master's in a humanities field (not Ed. or TESOL), a CELTA, and 7 years of EFL teaching experience. The last five have been in a high-school setting in Japan. I _like_ teaching uni. and adults, so a university context seemed appealing to me.)

The terms of the offer look appealing:
- 14000 SAR/ month, plus 600 transportation allowance (this as well as busing to campus provided free);
- "As per PMU availability, furnished housing with basic household goods or in case of unavailability, a housing allowance equivalent to 3 basic salaries may be approved by PMU Management";
- medical insurance, annual return airfare, etc.

According to the recruiter,
"PMU provides single women, men and other faculty members with fully furnished accommodation where there is no segregation of housing. However you will have your own single independent unshared apartment. They also have a gym and swimming pool not only on compound but also on the campus."

The recruiter added (in answer to my questions):
"​In short having worked in the region and working in the Middle Eastern region for close to 8 years now, I can only assure you that PMU is one of our prestigious clients who tend to be flexible in terms of bringing on board candidates but providing them with utmost care. Also given the fact that they provide you with bus transportation from the compound to the campus and back, SAR 600 is still remitted to your account with the basic salary for your personnel use. You will be also taken to shopping trips with other faculty twice- three times a week to various malls supermarkets. You are also able to socialize with your peers and faculty from other departments on the compound as there is a recreation hall and cafeteria on compound other than the gym and pool. Men,women and children all are present there without segregation which gives it a more normal atmosphere in Saudi Arabia.
I hope this help to answer your questions. If you wish to know more, I have spent time in the region and I would love to assist you further."

She also sent me this, regarding the housing:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/128559232@N04/26902589326/in/datetaken/

... Basically, after reading this and _also_ reading all the threads on these forums about people's experiences with PMU, I feel like my head is fit to split in two -- they're like two alternate versions of the universe! _Either_ this is a good opportunity with reasonable salary and good accommodation, _or_ everything I'm being told is completely untrustworthy, these people are lying through their teeth, and I can't count on anything they say. Which is the truth? Me, I'm just trying to find a decent job, do some work, keep my head down and pay off my debts. But I don't want to find myself driven to quit, or misused, forced out and _in_ debt.

Honestly, if anyone with relatively recent experience at PMU is willing to advise I would _love_ to talk to you. I just feel like someone or something is insane in this situation, and it might be me.

Thanks so much for any help you can give.

[nomad soul]

[rosalind]

[quote="nomad soul"]

[nomad soul]

[johnslat]

My nomination for understatement of the year:


" . . . . .the month of Ramadan starts in about 4 weeks, which slows things down a bit."

Any competitors?

Regards,
John

[nomad soul]