Job Discussion Forums

Paul in Saudi · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 404 Location: Doha, Qatar

The April paycheck came on the 27th. They did not pay me in May, although they promised we would be paid today. No money.

Well, I suppose it is time and past time to get out. I have to sell the car, give away the bird, sell the furniture. Lots to do.

The thing that really burns me is that I love my job. I like the students, the villa, everything.

Hell, if I am hurting, how about the poor Filipinos and Bangladeshis?

I am both sad and angry.

Arab Strap · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 246 Location: under your bed

Paul, who are these evil employers?

Paul in Saudi · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 404 Location: Doha, Qatar

DIFA, a Saudi company who got the old Lockheed C-130 contract in Jeddah.

Arab Strap · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 246 Location: under your bed

Back in 2002 I wasn't paid for 2 months

My employer refused to do the paperwork needed to bring my family out.

Refused to give me my accommodation allowance.

Insisted that on top of my teaching hours I filled in as the school director and salesman (no commission I might add or extra pay).

In my brief stint there we had three different directors and a teaching staff reduced from 10 to 3 in two months.

Even the Bangladeshi "tea boy" had his wages cut to 900SAR a month. He had to walk 2km to work in 50C heat from his one room which he shared with 4 others.

I ended up sharing a one bedroom unfurnished flat (sic) with another teacher and hot and cold running cockroaches.

The last straw came when the pay cheque finally arrived.........I got to the bank as fast as I could but it had bounced. The school owner told me he needed to empty the account to pay for an extention to his new villa...he kindly added that I was welcome to visit...which was nice

I eventually jumped ship after becoming a chain smoker, 12 coffee a day man and getting 50% of what I was owed.

I won't name and shame this shower as I still have some friends working there and they've apparently got their act together and I don't have an axe to grind.

My advice is stick to government institutions, don't be blinded by offers of lots of cash and stay away form private language franchises no matter their international reputation.

My story is not the worst I might add, I got away lightly.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Paul in Saudi · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 404 Location: Doha, Qatar

This is a government situation! They are a contractor for the RSAF! It is a no-brainer. RSAF gives you the money. You pay the employees, keep the rest.

Plus my parrot is just starting to talk. I always wanted a talking parrot. Bummer.

Arab Strap · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 246 Location: under your bed

I say 'Tea Boy" he was more of an unsung hero. Between myself and him we answered all the phone inquiries until someone sauntered in at 11am each day. Neither of us were very well versed in Arabic, it's no wonder the school didn't get much business.

The street cleaners were I live get more than 900SAR a month.

In the end up he had to fork out his his all savings to pay for his father's operation in India.

Who are we to complain?

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Average street office cleaner salary here is 275SR a month. And they have to pay their own Iqama, and bribes back home to get the job in the first place.

Arab Strap · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 246 Location: under your bed

I ended up sharing a one bedroom unfurnished flat (sic) with another teacher and hot and cold running *beep*.

the *beep* here is an insect of the Periplaneta variety. Far be it from me to stoop so low as to use bad language on this esteemed website.

Dave what were you thinking?

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Well obviously these insects were given their name by some pervert!! Laughing

VS

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

cockroaches; native Arabian fauna.

What I like are the cans of spray that say they kill them instantly; true but they don't tell you what you have to do is chase the roach and bang it over the head with the can. If you just spray it, the roach will do a Fred Aistaire 'Dancing in the Rain' imitation, and continue on its merry way.

Once I had some blocked drains. I got the somebody in and he climbed into the interior patio to open the drain cover. He was immediately covered from head to toe by thousands of black roaches that jumped out and covered the walls as well. Rather like a horror film. Only time felt I was underpaying a plumber.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Again I must wonder why it is that you are able to bypass the censorship program on this board... tis a mystery to me.

...but what a lovely story... I must admit that I never had roaches in any of my Gulf flats. Cairo, yes, but never in Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, or Oman.

VS