Job Discussion Forums

[fitzpatrick_thomas]

This is a ESL school in Khormaksar, Eden, Yemen (MOD EDIT).

A few days ago the two foreign native english speaking teachers were both fired on the same day( one day before we were due to be paid, meaning the school gets two months - 30 hours a week - free teaching.)
No reason was given for the dismissals.

We were told that we would receive no money whatsoever for the last month ($800 each) that we worked and that we should give them our passports so that we could get an exit visa. The exit visa was obtained and we were given a PHOTOCOPY of the exit visa. They still have the passports. This is presumably an attempt at intimidation - the idea being that if you make trouble about the $1600 owed for work done then you do not get your passport back.

(Incidentally if someone called "Lori" replies to this message then I must inform you that she is part owner of the school and will support all that they do.)

[veiledsentiments]

Does this place have any actual 'American' connection other than the word in its name?

VS

[Stephen Jones]

Contact your embassy about the pasports, and ask them to recommend a lawyer.

[fitzpatrick_thomas]

Thanks.
There is no American connection whatsoever.

I have contacted my embassy and they say that the passport will be given to me - with the exiit visa on it - when I hand over the keys to the flat. I have contacted a lawyer also and he wants my passport, of course.

The exit visa will run out in 6 days so I will have to buy another one and pay for a hotel. Since they did not pay me for the last month cash is short. It all cost money and takes time and I do not have either.

They have worked the whole scam out very cleverly.

[veiledsentiments]

I did a little checking about... and this is the Modern American Language Institute. Right? MOD EDIT Sorry you got caught up in it, but hopefully others will be warned away by the presence of this thread.

VS

[Alfie]

To clear up a few things:

ALC is NOT the same as MALI (Modern American Language Institute). They are entirely separate schools, owned and operated by different people.

"Lori" has no ownership at all in the school.

Also, Fitz, yours is only half the story.

[fitzpatrick_thomas]

You are right MALI and the ALC have nothing to do with each other.

The other half of the story is with the other teacher who was fired and not paid a day before pay day - the pay which we both did not get.

She has gone to Sana'a to the British Embassy but I do not think it will do her much good as I contacted them and they said that they do not get involved in these sort of things.( Except for the passport affair.)

[veiledsentiments]

It must be terribly confusing for people with all these schools being set up with very similar names, but then that is what the shady places try to do... give themselves a name that makes it sound like the better places and hope that the students (and prospective teachers) are completely confused.

Even if there is a legitimate reason to fire a teacher - as there often is - there is no excuse for withholding pay or passport.

VS

[mideastgirl]

I really am sorry to hear about you and your colleague, Fitz. I have heard many bad things about management in Yemen - it's really hit and miss. (I've heard this from both Yemenis and expats) Unfortunately it seems that you and your colleague got screwed.

On a higher note, I would highly recommend looking into applying at AMIDEAST if you would like to stay in Yemen. I work at the branch in Aden and I love my employers and the staff. I really have nothing to say but positive things about the organization and the people who run it. It's based in Washington D.C. Here is the website: www.amideast.org

Take care and best of luck with everything.

Angelique

[fitzpatrick_thomas]

Thanks again. I have done as advised and contacted a lawyer.

He said that it is true that you cannot just not pay people like that - as someone has remarked.

Also , after looking at the documents and listening to the circumstances he said that the school was breaking the law on at least six counts.

Please e-mail me at [email protected] if you want verification on this - I can give the lawyers name, address ,e-mail, and phone number. He is smart, passionate and speaks excellent English.
HE IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

(I cannot give his details on this forum of course - thats a no no.)

If the "other half of the story"- to quote a previous message - means the school's defence of their actions then I am sure they will find it a delightful experience talking to him. (Excuse the silly irony and thanks again.)

[fitzpatrick_thomas]

SCHOOL NAMES

Just to make things crystal clear. about the SCHOOL NAMES.
(I agree that there is a deliberate attempt to confuse people with the names of these schools. I was confused myself.)

There are 3 ESL schools in Khormaksar,Aden, YEMEN. They have no connection with each other.

1. ALC - The American Language Center.
This is the school that have ripped me and my fellow teacher off.(And I have heard that they have done the same thing before to several other teachers.)


2. MALI - Modern American Language Institute (which I know nothing about, and was the subject of a previous message where the writer confused it with the ALC.)


3. AMIDEAST - a well known international organization with schools all over the middle east. I have heard only good things about them, they have a strong American connection and a good reputation.

[fitzpatrick_thomas]

Just a quick note - I have also talked to the large Aden newspaper
AL-AYYAM. (They are in Crater,Aden.)

They talked to me minutes (without an appointment or prior notice) after I arrived in the office and were very helpful indeed.

I would recommend them and my lawyer to anyone who has problems in Yemen.

(Sorry to write so many messages but this one is just general advice for other teachers.)

[Devante]

edited by MOD

[manar1974]

I worked at ALC for 6 months contract and my experience was great at school and Yemen. The school was very modern and clean. The staff and teachers work together as one team. I was paid on time and I didn�t have any problems with visa as it was legal.
The courses were very well organized and Yemeni students were pleasure to teach.
The director is a nice helpful leady and very polite.

I�m planning to go back to Yemen and work with ALC if chance permit

[Devante]

As I believe, if someone goes back to the same place more than once, then it must be love, and in order to fall in love with something or someone, then I guess it must be the treatment he or she gets . I have worked for Mali , Atlantic , YMCA , and other small institutes , but the only place I felt respected is A.L.C . This center doesn't respect you just for having a passport or a certificate, they respect you of how well you can teach. If you l'd like to return to ALC, be my guest.