Job Discussion Forums

[seamus_macniel]

Does anyone know if Mr Abdul Majid Majali's name - he is the person recruiting me - goes on the contract with the MOHE. Any detailed information on Sohar would also be appreciated. Is it possible to get at least a semi-furnished flat there?

[got2go]

What I would also like to know about Abdul Majali, amongst the million questions I asked, is if Abdul Majil will take a portion of our salary or do they get paid directly from the Ministry? I know that they get paid on a commission basis - who pays for their commission?

Thanks for your input!

[veiledsentiments]

These are part of life's mysteries... if you ever find anyone who knows, pass it on.

I suspect that he is paid by the ministry... but that probably means that the teachers are paid a smaller salary... who knows...

I made it a personal rule in my job searching to avoid any and all agents... always...

VS

[Borealis]

[quote="got2go"]What I would also like to know about Abdul Majali, amongst the million questions I asked, is if Abdul Majil will take a portion of our salary or do they get paid directly from the Ministry? I know that they get paid on a commission basis - who pays for their commission?
Thanks for your input!"


When Abdul Majali acted as recruiter for RAFO, the school he worked for (Hawthorn) took a commission, so the teachers who were subcontracted from Hawthorn to RAFO received a much smaller salary than those who had been employed directly by RAFO. Two of the Hawthorn teachers were offered a job with RAFO at the end of their contract with Hawthorn but the Sheik who owns Hawthorn refused to give them release letters. Eventually, along with all the other contracted teachers, they chose to leave the country rather than continue to work at Hawthorn. Unresolved contractual issues, mostly caused by Majali's incompetence, wheeling and dealing, were the major reasons for conflict.

If you scan the other posts (eg Beer)you'll find plenty of information about the way Majali operates to make you very wary about accepting any job in which he is involved. The MOHE has a good solid reputation in Oman, so why they employ such a character as a recruiter is odd, to say the least. Perhaps they don't read these boards!! However, my recommendation would be to contact them directly if you can and give this man a very wide berth. It would be a great pity to have to spend your time and energy in such a fascinating country dealing with the consequences of being duped by him - as so many of us at Hawthorn and SUC had to.

All the best
Borealis

[veiledsentiments]

It would certainly be useful if someone who had been contracted by this character to work with the Ministry could come on and explain how the relationship went.

He did have a bad reputation with some of his other contracts, but this one may or may not be the same.

Anyone?

VS

[yumyumkorea]

Majd will not take part of your salary. Your relationship with him will cease as soon as you hit Oman, though details you agreed with him via your initial contract will remain valid. You will sign a contract with the ministry itself, and then later with the college you are allocated to.

As for furnished flats, the trend here tends to be unfurnished, though you will be provided with a loan from your salary to start buying things.

[veiledsentiments]

Thanks yumyumkorea,

Is he doing all the recruitment for the MOHE now or is the Ministry also hiring direct? Do you know if there is a pay or benefit differential?

(years ago SQU tried using an agent... ended up with lots of unhappy people on different pay scales, different teaching hours, different housing benefits... a real nightmare and they dropped it after a couple years and went back to doing all their own hiring)

VS

[yumyumkorea]

There are one or two recruiters involved, I don't think the ministry is hiring direct.

There does not seem to be a salary variation with regard to recruiter though there is a slight variation between teachers for no apparent reason, i.e. years of service, qualifications, previous levels at which one taught, seem to have no bearing on salary level, though this is presumably just part of the chaos which is the Omani government.

[veiledsentiments]

I suspect that this may be the result of using agents rather than the Omani government. Personally I found them the most sensible and organized of governments... as easy, if not often easier than the US... and certainly worlds better than any other Middle Eastern country. (of course in a perfect world we wouldn't have to deal with any governments... )

Of course I started in the ME in Egypt, and they do make everyone else seem pretty efficient. (except for the Kuwaitis who make the Egyptians look good... can't comment on the Saudis as I never had to deal with them)

VS

[kuberkat]

The only names on the contract are yours and the minister's: I received mine this week (A mere month after signing. Signing one's name during Ramdhan is not easy, you know.) And I was also recruited by AMM. An Arab colleague who really hit it off with him was informed that he received OR1000 per recruit, so I assume there won't be a further commission. Fighting for a higher salary is not somehting he'll do for you. That should be discussed with the HR department at the Ministry. Who are, at this point, thrilled to do direct recruitments- but they won't snatch an agent's finds.

The grapevine has it that the highest earners in some of the smaller colleges are busty, blonde BA's with exotic mother tongues. If the description fits you, you may be in for the good life.

[veiledsentiments]

[Duffy]

Hi All,

This is my first post on this forum though I am no stranger to them or the ME.

I have been following this thread for a little while waiting for my chance to join in.

Now I'm here. I too have had an offer from the same outfit representing the Ministry but this guy is called Chandran. To date he has been very helpful and has been completely upfront about being employed by Hawthorn and has put my mind ease anyway, just waiting for the visa confirmation now, anybody know how long this takes?

Interesting to see the posts about the ELC, my wife and I were working for them at the time the writer was talking about, yes, I could add a lot, but it is not my place as I am no longer teaching there but the wife is.

As for Salalah, I will write my full impressions later, but be it known that Spinneys has re-opened and are selling the finest bread in the town, oh yes there is freezer full of porky things there if you know where to find it!

We are travelling back soon, be glad to leave Fethiye in Turkey where we have an apartment as it getting rather cool now, was 18C this morning!!

[veiledsentiments]

Welcome Duffy... glad to have more people with experience on here to share the good and the bad...

VS

[Hudson]

[quote="seamus_macniel"]Does anyone know if Mr Abdul Majid Majali's name - he is the person recruiting me - goes on the contract with the MOHE. Any detailed information on Sohar would also be appreciated. Is it possible to get at least a semi-furnished flat there?[/quote

Renting a house or flat in Sohar is very expensive and may reach $1000 per month, so your salary should be at least $4000 per month, as you need a car. if you are offered less than that, you should negotiate your salary.

[Hudson]

[quote="Borealis"]