Job Discussion Forums

crocus · Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Posts: 79

Well, it seems to be spreading! Just heard from a friend there that as of today the University Council has decided to make the first cut. For anyone who was able to claim an educational allowance for their kids in Higher Education (which was a definite plus for the place if you were in that situation!!), this has now stopped UNLESS your kids are in HE in Sharjah - how likely is that?

I think you're right in what was said in the AUS thread about benefit cuts - if this keeps spreading, then it will be the single teachers who will be the only ones willing and able to work in the ME; the rest of us won't be able to afford it.

It'll be interesting to see if UOS goes as far as AUS; I reckon it will come, and not just in Sharjah. After all, if one place does it and it doesn't have any deleterious effects on the number of teachers applying for what are bound to be vacant positions, then why should they care? So, they lose some experienced and well-qualified teachers; they'll still have those at the beginnings of their careers or those single teachers whom the benefit cuts won't affect anyway.

Interesting things, contracts, in this part of the world: most definitely not worth the paper they're written on. Pity we don't have unions here (dream on!).

Ain't life fun? Confused

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

Interesting that they are doing this at the same time as many of the places are having difficulties getting enough teachers...

VS

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Does anyone have an idea of the ratio of married to single teachers? The Gulf is a place for married couples(with kids) true/ false?

SandyM · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 4:44 pm Post subject:

So tell me, Crocus, what exactly is there to stop the staff getting together and opposing the cuts? Too scared? Can't really be bothered?

What have they got to lose? (And why do you think you have to lose??)

Seems like the right time for a spot of positive thinking - and affirmative action!

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

EFL teachers with wasta Shocked

crocus · Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Posts: 79

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

Considering that this type of action for improving employment in ESL hasn't been successful in the US, I wouldn't expect it to work in the Gulf either...

What they'd have to lose would be a job...

VS

nomadykaty · Joined: 03 May 2004 Posts: 60

I would say that your friends at UOS have been pretty lucky. The UAEU doesn't pay for the HE of the faculty's children. They pay up until 18 years of age or secondary school. After that we are on are own.

VS if your talking about HCT -they had a lot of qualified teachers apply but HR and the directors of certain colleges are just too picky (a prerequisite appears to be British Council experience).

dmb- I don't know what the ratio is but I think it's still more married couples here. But its changing.

When I started most of us were either single (late 30s) or married with school age children. Now we're getting younger single people and couples. The age seems to have dropped to mid/late twenties and couples with newborns.

I think regardless of cuts (supposed cuts), qualified teachers will still come here.

younggeorge · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 350 Location: UAE

Bindair Dundat · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 1123

SandyM · Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 11:24 am Post subject:

What a load of tosh you're spouting, BD. I take it your tongue is firmly in your cheek when you mention the 'privilege' of being in the country? What's there to do with 'privilege' when you get shafted by the Sheikh and his cronies at the Education Ministry, or a bunch of foreign 'administrators'? It's still the same - a shafting!

And what's so wrong about reacting to having your standard of living cut at a stroke? I can't think of anything more powerful that might change the administration's attitude than a strike or work to rule! Teachers do have real power - if they stick together.

It's the Reaganite losers in the staff room who are just throwing in the towel ... and it sucks!

You really are talking out of your arse, this time...

well-travelled · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 97

You're talking about a situation where it's each man for himself, a kind of Darwinian survivalism.

After all, how many of us have seen decent people (families and all) get shafted by scumbag managers (and I'm not just talking about 'foreign' managers here) and done sweet f.a. about it???

It's a world where you keep your mouth shut and hope it's not your head that's next on the block.

well-travelled

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

You are whistling dixie if you think it is possible to take any sort of action against the administration in any place in the Gulf.

You don't have any rights whatsoever and you will only get your self locked up or on the first flight out of the place.

That unfortunatley is the reality of the situation.

The Gulf countries are starting to realise what our own countries have realised for years ie You can cut benefits and reduce conditions but there are still plenty of teachers to fill the void.

Welcome to the Global economy.

Bindair Dundat · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 1123

SandyM · Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 4:21 pm Post subject:

Yep, that's me - charming, articulate ... and well in possession of my self-respect.

Much better like this than to be a cowardly, avaricious, cynic, I reckon.