Job Discussion Forums

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

Well, dear old DIFA (the Jeddah/Riyad C-130 contract, formerly Lockheed) has failed to meet payroll. Again.

That is to say no pay on 1 September. No pay on 1 October. No word on any pay. No medical care since months ago.

I suppose it is time to quit. (Gee, really, you think so, Sherlock?)

So these fools will not give me a LONO, of course. I presume I can just was a passport and tell my new employer what I am doing.

That still works, right?

Anyone want an African Gray parrot. I will be such a ratfink if I have to release him. Sad

Albulbul · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 364

Definitely time to go. Failure to pay salary is someting you MUST NOT ignore. Get out now !

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

Don't release the bird... isn't there a pet store or vet in town that you could just give it to?

Can't answer about the passport wash, but the rumor is still around that it works...

VS

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

Looks like a lady who I trust will take the bird. Now I have to find a job.

Gosh darn it I like my work, my students and my co-workers. Still how can you ignore no pay?
-Paul

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

I doubt that it is not a great enough job that you want to do it for nothing...

Good Luck movin' on...

VS

Ace Teacher · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 31 Location: Riyadh

Just a piece of sincere advice Paul.... if you plan to do the laundry bit and unintentionally leave the passport in the machine Wink

then I guess the trick will work visa wise, however, if you tell a potential employer that you worked in Saudi before, then you'll be stuck with getting the NOC! Employers in Saudi Arabia ask for the NOC as a condition for employment if they find out that you worked here before.

Also, if you will try to avoid mentioning previous employment here in Saudi, what would you tell them you were doing in the last (say a year or so? Sad

) Try : I was meditating in the Himalayas Laughing

Cleopatra · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 9:45 am Post subject:

Ace Teacher · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 31 Location: Riyadh

They do Cleopatra. Trust me! Yes, they do consider it irrelevant, however, they do insist on it to cover their backs.

Stephen Jones could back me up on this!

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

When I leave, I shall build some sort of website denouncing them.

Some employers have contacted me. I will soon see if they want a LONO. It seems to me that so few people issue LONOs that the entire system must be on the verge of a breakdown.

Or not.

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 5:55 am Post subject:

Wasn't there talk about how the Saudis would scrap the NOC requirement as part of their WTO accession arrangements, now reaching a late stage?

If it were only the expat workers who were affected negatively by the NOC nonsense, then you might see why the Saudis might not be too bothered about changing it. But it seems that many Saudi employers hate it too - at least when they're doing the hiring, as opposed to the firing...?

Ace Teacher · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 31 Location: Riyadh

Paul ... have you thought of a name for the website?

How about LONOS and LOONIES?... (loonies referring to those nasty employers )

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

Why DIFA.com of course. I seem to remember it is open.

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

It seems the Worst Case Scenario is playing out.

Several hot-shot employers want me. They all want LONOs. Further, the Saudi Embassy website says a LONO is a requirement for three years after leaving the Kingdom.

This company has screwed up my whole life.