Job Discussion Forums

[testcase]

I'm writing this as a separate posting even though it answers some questions in previous threads concerning changing jobs in general and specifically from MLI because the other threads have been inactive for awhile.

I just left the MLI and will start a new job in the Emirates in September. First, the facts:

1. I had to cancel my visa with MLI, as well as those of my family.
2. I did not receive a ban in my passport when I cancelled my visa. Neither did anyone who did so from MLI this year.
3. I have received my entry permit from my new job which allows me to enter the country on a work visa.

As I understand it, and have been told by several knowledgeable sources, any ban which might be enforced does not apply to government employees, which explains why neither me nor anyone else who resigned from the MLI this year was banned. I will let this forum know if that information changes after I enter through immigration at the airport.

I do not know what happens in other cases, such as with employees of private institutions.

Now, I would like to address the issue of NOCs at MLI. In fact, the LETTERS of No Objection which were issued before TESOL Arabia only stipulated no objection from MLI to being interviewed. The No Objection CERTIFICATES are necessary to transfer a visa from one employer to another, and are not written by MLI, but by GHQ. The directive to not issue NOCs came from GHQ, and this is not a new policy. As I understand it, only one person has managed to actually transfer his visa from MLI to another institution in the Emirates, and that was done only after a lengthy period of time and some major wasta on his behalf. Everyone else has cancelled their visas first. In fact, since there is no ban on government workers, the NOC is not necessary.

When the MLI informed the staff that departing faculty might get a ban, they were simply covering their honorable butts in response to the VERY ambiguous and contradictory information presented in the articles in Khaleej Times and Gulf News (see previous threads) and *I think* nothing more. They didn't know what would happen, and didn't want to be blamed later for ruining people's lives and so forth.

I suppose that people will be wondering why I left MLI. Well, I can positively say that I did my time, I grew as a teacher, but it was time to move on, hopefully to greener (not necessarily more profitable) pastures.

[veiledsentiments]

Thanks testcase,

A very helpful summary of what has come together from all the chaos and confusion of last semester. It will save any new recruits from wading though all the threads to try to figure out all the details.

Insha'Allah, this year at MLI will go a bit more smoothly.

Good Luck in your new job!!

VS

[High Plains Drifter]

Dear testcase,

A very helpful post. Would you please clarify one thing? Did you complete your contract or resign prior to completion?

Thanks

[testcase]

The contracts run for 2 years. After a few years there, I resigned in the middle of my contract. Other people I know of only completed 1 year of their first contract before resigning, and I believe that a decision was made not to ban those cases in spite of the fact that MLI spent all that money to get them there. They sent out a memo before I left stating that the Powers That Be decided that it would be counter-productive to do so, which I suppose means that they won't do it for anyone. This still, of course, leaves open the option in an extremely messy case, or if someone skips out, but I would not have any info on that sort of situation.

You have to realize, though, that according to the MLI contract, you can leave any time you want. You may incur penalties in the process, such as no end-of-service bonus if you don't complete your first 2 years, but technically, they have no basis to ban you if you leave early. It's allowable in the contract. I also think that the admin has better things to do with their time than to bear grudges and cause trouble for people at Immigration.

testcase

[grand fromage]

glad everyone has made it out OK without bans

I guess there may be more people leaving pretty soon. Yes, major changes at MLI again. Not sure any of them are good, but they have finally hired a permanent replacement for an academic advisor. This will put an end to the mildly to seriously incompetent rule of a few coordinators (it was chaos galore!). Unfortunately, the new guy hasn't brought in any positive changes yet. Just new obstacles for teachers to dodge. I'll give the new guy some time before passing judgement though. However, MLI is a tense place these days

Good thing I'm going on leave soon; I'll be watching it from the sidelines for a few weeks.

tbc...

[omar805]

deleted

[bobo_the_circus_chimp]

I see that the new director was involved in some sort of situation at his former place of work. Not sure if it is fallout as a result of his managerial style or the result of something else. Certainly makes one wonder.

[Bindair Dundat]