Job Discussion Forums

[waltertoo]

An igama is an internal passport for foreigners. You give your passport to your employer and he gives you the igama. When you leave the country, you give the igama to yur employer and he gives you your passport.

A visitor's visa is not an igama. It gives you no rights to make any banking transactions in the country. An igama does.

According to latest rules, a contractor cannot issue an igama to certain occupations. English teaching is now one of the restricted occupations. Only a direct employer of English teachers can get an igama now.

A visa of any type is not an igama.

I was told that A.F. is unhappy with fronting money for university.

No business will continue to advance its money indefinatelyon behalf of a customer that is not paying the bill. As far as I have heard A.F. is still paying its people at KFUPM/DCC. I am reporting a rumor, I have no way of knowing how good the other person's very reliable source may be.

The person at my compound who has just decided to leave was given an ultimatum to apply for direct hire status at DCC at 40% pay cut. This is a fact confirmed by other DCC guys who are very upset about their treatment.

My contract is not with KFUPM.

Good luck

[Mark100]

Yep as i stated before the guys i have met who work for KFUPM via Al Falak never last very long. They are continually stuffed around.
You have been warned.

[Sheikhdown]

DCC or Al-Falak or whatever they call themselves preceeds itself as a total SCAM, and it would seem that those who have fled and leaving would give any sane person considering going there a total 360 degree turnaround.!!

Yet the sight of those dollars can get anyone into taking a major risk, and
ending up in a nightmare situation.

I blame the Saudi government for giving these administrator *beep* the
right to screw anyone they wish, and throw them out like dogs at their leisure.

They have no ethics or morals when it comes to human rights and the treatment of human beings; much less those who have university degrees.

We are just another body to be used to clean their toilents, sweep their streets, serve their food, fill their medical hospitals with doctors and nurses to treat the diseases they get from intermarriage, and teach their kids English. Once used, we are to
be discarded, and we take the little oil money we have collected home to our perspective countries.
Remember that when you arrive and step into THEIR world!

[Stephen Jones]

I deal with Al-Falak because they also help us in Jubail with the recruiting. We have staff who have come from DCC. Obviously they are a self-selecting group that prefer Jubail, yet I have not heard very bad reports about their time at DCC.

The basic problem is that EFL teachers are recruited from all over the globe, and many do not wish to return to their country of origin to process the visa. As a result many come in on visit visas initially.

As far as I can gather the Al-Falak salary and the DCC salary are the same when you work out the perks and generous holidays.

[sledgehammer]

Well, quite unwittingly it appears that I've stirred up a hotbed of mixed emotions regarding Al Falak!

At this stage I can only say that I'm more confused than when I got the offer from Al Falak to work in KSA. Since reading all the negativity on this and other forums, I've applied for other jobs in the kingdom which are far more up front about the conditions and small print which Al Falak isn't. I've had to call the company and send many emails just to confirm what is and what isn't. Despite all that, Im still confused and feel let down because of the lack of integrity on the side of Al Falak. I mean, how can a person make a rational, career change in terms of location based on a single 400 word email offer. Ludicrous!

I can see that Al Falak are on a commission basis for the number of recruits they get into KSA. I'm sorry, but this is my life we're talking about. Needless to say then, I won't be taking up the post with these people unless I get desperate. As someone said earlier in this thread, there are better opportunities than DCC - KFUPM - Al FALAK. Oh, and the money on offer with these other people is better and from the looks of things STABLE.

Thanks to all the contributors so far. Keep it going.

Sledgehammer

[Sheikhdown]

It continues to amaze me how when the real truth is brought out about something, it simply can't be tolerated!

[Sheikhdown]

Sledgehammar,
Truth has won you over! Congratulations. It is possible to get into Saudi,
work there, enjoy what there is to offer in regards to culture and the like,
make some money, and leave satisfied and with your DIGNITY intact as well.
By making decisions to know your opponent well and looking after number one(YOU!), you will benefit and those around you as well.
I would say to everyone that a DIRECT HIRE is the only way to go from the horrors and nightmares people have and continue to have in regards to ALL schools in Saudi. Once you have a VALID contract in your hand, this is your
legal protection which even though you may to fight if they want to throw you out, is something they MUST abide by!
P.S. I am NOT Jewish! Michael

[medway]

[sledgehammer]

Hello everyone from hot and sunny SA!

As you know, I started this thread back in Mexico in the winter which seems a log time ago. I've wanted to post about my experiences in SA for some time, but haven't had the time until now.

As you know, I was a major sceptic about coming out here as this was to be my first time in the ME.

There are too many things to dislike about SA, particularly the religion which is in your face all the time and governs all facets of daily life. That's on top of the fact I live on a compound where I'm more scared of the security guards that point their guns at you despite knowing that you live there! Nevertheless, the Saudis are incredibly hospitable people and are constantly offering you out and buying things for you, at least those are my experiences thus far.

With regards to the Al Falak issue, NO problems. They pay on time and don't deduct for things that you haven't used. In fact, it's the only real thing i like about SA, the money. If I were asked to live here, I would always decline. It really is a nut house here. The religion just makes the people very crazy, especially the guys that have converted. I mean, I go for days sometime without seeing a women. Forget about trying to do something normal like go to a cinema because they just don't exist here. There's lots of coffee here however and shopping malls where you can spend your hard earned cash.

As for DCC. I will post my views about my experiences with them real soon.

Sledgehammer

[medway]

Hey Hammer!
I thought you would only take the job if you got desperate?
Anyway, you'll get to appreciate the Gawa and the local football soon enough.
If you are on Al -Gulag , and I recognise the description of the guards...you must have an internet connection, which surprises me, unless you are using a net-cafe. Al-Gulag must be the only place in the ME with digital phone lines, so ordinary modems don't work! you have to use another converter [ an anti-modem, presumably] which is impossible to find and expensive too.
Hmm, the mention of converts in your previous post is tantalising...these reverts [or diverts? ] are more of a problem than the ethnic Muslims...a case of always having something to prove, I suppose. Still, the only time I've been told I am eternally damned here in KSA was by a loony Welsh Evangelical Fundamentalist, so go figure....

[Stephen Jones]

[medway]

thanks for that officially-sanctioned answer, Steve.

I 'll just comment in favour of Jubail Industrial that in my experience the Director will side with the teacher in the case of any student disputes, which is good for morale, but it does seem extraordinary that a bunch of students, and by no means all dim-wits, should migrate 'backwards' to DCC from the more prestigious JIC.

[Stephen Jones]

I don't presume they migrated voluntarily. I suspect the dim ones failed and the bright ones couldn't be bothered to get out of bed.

And nothing I post on this forum is "officially sanctioned".