Job Discussion Forums

Ateloz · Joined: 19 Jun 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Asia

Please help, I'm Filipina and might work for the Middle East College of Information Technology (MECIT) in Muscat this September. I saw the ad in a paper here in Manila, sent in my resume and was interviewed thrice in a span of two weeks. I was then sent MOHE forms and asked to send in authenticated copies of my diplomas, etc. The school didn't really tell me what happens next so..what should I expect? Does the MOHE give the permit/visa? When do I get to see my contract? How do I get the plane tickets from the employer, do they send it? What's the cost of living in Muscat? My husband is coming along with me but not to teach. We are hoping he can find a job though. He has training in hotel and restaurant skills.

Also, are there many Filipinos there? I would like to meet people of other nationalities, of course, but it would be good news if I have at least a few Filipinos to bond with on weekends..

PLEASE help...Thank you so much.

omanized · Joined: 04 Jun 2006 Posts: 152

I can't say much about the particular college but in general , things will happen slowly. At least you're with the Ministry directly it seems and so despite the waiting, the offer should be reliable. Check if that salary is all inclusive - housing, transport and any other allowances - otherwise I would say it is a good salary. Muscat is likely much more expensive than the Phillipines but fairly average for most western countries.

As for you husband working and social opportunities...there are thousands of Filipinos and Filipinas here, mostly working in the service industry. If you weren't aware of the demographics in the Gulf before I am a little surprised - a significant percentage of the retail, service and tourism industries are staffed by your countrymen and women. The salaries are not very good, probably between 250 - 400 rials but there should be plenty of work around.

omanized

Ateloz · Joined: 19 Jun 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Asia

Omanized,

Thanks! Your quick reply was very helpful. I would appreciate info on MECIT if you ever come across any. I searched all the threads but didn't find much.

Glad to hear there are a lot of Filipinos there, but it would be great if I also get to meet Filipino teachers.

Thanks again.

omanized · Joined: 04 Jun 2006 Posts: 152

I've never heard of the college, but that doesn't mean much except that I'm buried in my own work/life/navel gazing.....

As for Filipino teachers, perhaps at the secondary or lower level but I can't say I have heard of any at the institute or college level here.

omzd

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

There was a thread about this place back in 2003, where its package was presented as about 700OR "minus" what they charge you for transport - which all of us found quite appalling as every other university pays you an allowance for transport - NOT deduct it from your pay. At that time it was very low for an MA, but all is relative if you are comparing it to the salaries in the Phillipines.

I don't think that the MOHE will be involved at all with your employment. The university is required to get your credentials approved by them, but beyond that it is your employer who must do all paperwork and provide tickets or whatever is in your contract - which they are apparently not too helpful about. Since we have had no teachers posting to this board who work there, only the school can answer most of your questions. An unhelpful administration now can be a bad sign.

I checked out their website and it says nothing about the faculty. It is apparently an Asian based university and I suspect that it is an all-Asian faculty. There are likely other Filipinos on the staff and faculty!!

Omanized has filled you in on the fact that your husband should be able to find a job, and there will be plenty of Filipinos around for socializing. Cool

I have never met any teachers though.

VS

Ateloz · Joined: 19 Jun 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Asia

Hi VS and Omanized,

Thanks for the info. I emailed the school yesterday with some questions regarding salary, benefits, etc., but so far I've gotten no reply.

Tarka_littleotter · Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 69 Location: Oman

Make sure you know the exact details of your husband's visa before you go planning his work. Many women going to Oman expect that their husbands will get the same visa benefits as if the situation were reversed. This is not often the case. Check with your employer what the deal will be with your husband's visa and also check that potential employers will cough up for his permanent visa.

I only say this because a friend of mine is leaving after a year in Oman becasue her husbnad had so many problems and ended up not working.

I'm afraid I can't offer any info on your place of work as I'm not based in Muscat and very know little about what goes on there!!

Ateloz · Joined: 19 Jun 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Asia

Thanks for the info, Otter. I'm actually having second (and third..and fourth) thoughts about the job offer because the school doesn't seem to be willing to give out information/details regrading my pay, benefits, etc. I was informed that my husband will have a visit visa good for three months during which he can look for a job.

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

Ateloz

The problems that you are having don't sound like a sign of a good employer. Be very wary of the idea of the 3 month visit visa for a job search. I know of quite a few husbands who were never able to find a job and never were able to get a visa.

This can cause you real problems if he is having to be coming and going on tickets at your own cost... or going back home and thus having to maintain two homes.

Personally if they won't give you the same visa situation that they would for a male teacher who wants to bring his wife... I would say that this is NOT a good choice for you. Unless it is fine to live in two different countries for most of the year...

VS

qas419 · Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 32

I wonder if you can find many Filipino teachers in Oman. Most of them are in Bahrain and they work for AMA International. But rest assured, Omani people are the most friendly and gentle of all in the Gulf region. And I am sure your application was unbiasedly screened and selected. Because of discrimination, racism and favourtism in most of Gulf universities especially in the UAE, no Asian, African (coloured) or Filipino application can go through easily. So you are the winner. Good luck.

Ateloz · Joined: 19 Jun 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Asia

VS and qas419

The school replied & said that my husband's visit visa can be extended up to an additional month only. They did specify my salary (ro751) and the benefits. It sounds okay except that we can't really afford the airfare. Would it be possible to have it deducted from my salary? Are there schools who are amenable to this?

Borealis · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 26

I agree that Omanis are, on the whole, gentle and kind. This does not, however, apply to Omani bureaucracy. As far as the visitor visa is concerned, it can be renewed indefinitely as long as your husband leaves the country and flies in on a new visa. A quick trip to Dubai will suffice for this. I would really caution you though to think hard about paying for your own tickets on the assumption that your employer will reimburse you when you get there. This may or may not happen depending on how well your employer understands the word "ethics". If they are keen on having you there is no reason for them not to send you the tickets beforehand. You'll need to be a bit assertive with them. If they refuse, then you have to ask yourself whether you really want to put yourself in such a risky situation.

Borealis