Job Discussion Forums

[The Noodles]

Hi everyone.

Well it's almost about that time to put on my hat and call it a day. I shall be heading back pretty soon and have a very big question. I will need to change money. just under 30000 Saudi Riyal into pounds.

The trouble is when i went to the bank, they asked for an Iqama. I haven't got one. He asked me for some kind of ID and I had my passport.

I didn't feel comfortable giving him my passport. I got really paranoid and thought he might record my details and amount of money being changed on the computer. Then at the border boarder of Bahrain my passport and exchange would come up on the computer so they'd take it from me (my money)

I was also told I'd be better off changing my money at Bahrain airport.... Is that so?

Am I being paranoid?

[007]

[Cleopatra]

[quote]I didn't feel comfortable giving him my passport. [quote]

Why not? In many parts of the world it is normal procedure to ask for some kind of ID when changing money. KSA used to be pretty lax on such matters, but laws have tightened up in the last few years, due to fears of turrist money laundering.

[The Noodles]

Well this is the point. I'm not really working legally as I have no Iqama. My employer brought me out here on an illegal visa. It states 'Not permitted to work'

I was told on an earlier posting that this is not altogether so uncommon. My employer does give me a receipt with the end of month salary. But I doubt he would go as far as giving me a letter stating that I work there.

[Cleopatra]

It would have been helpful if you had given us the full background before asking us if you were being 'paranoid'. I stil don't think you'll have a problem, however. After all, businessmen and 'tourists' change money too. The man in the exchange booth isn't going to know if you are working - legally or not as the case may be.

[scot47]

New regulations state that you have to declare export from KSA of more than a certain sum in cash.(Is it 50 thousand riyals ?)

My persoanl viewpoint is that the money should be confiscated since you were working illegally. Alas, that is unlikey to happen.

[007]

So, Noodels, you were getting paid �under the table� of TEFL world.
It seems the TEFL world is spoiled with the Mafia of �illegal business�.
What a shame!
If you are caught, the school may have to pay a fine, but you will be the looser. You may loose all your earning (illegal), and the details of your passport could be noted in SA, and you might have problems travelling to SA in the future.
In addition, if something bad happen to you during your work, then it would be difficult if not impossible to complain to any authority.

Watch out for the new labour/immigration Saudi laws!

[trapezius]

I can't see how people are chastising him...?

He is apparently here on a business visa, as are hundreds of other TEFLers who have been hired by contracting companies to teach at various colleges and universities. What's so unusual about that?

The best thing to do is go to the bank in Saudi, show your passport, and have the money transferred to your bank account back home. Everybody and their mother does this.

[scot47]

No Iqama = no bank accouint
No bank account = no transfer via a bank
A passport is NOT acceptable.

Go to Al Amoudi and get the folding stuff.

Next time work on a legal labour contract not some spurious deal with a contractor who offers a 'business visa.'

[Bebsi]

If you go to any bank in KSA with that kind of money, they will assume you are a serious terrorist financier.

What Happens is this:

A guy behind the counter will press a special button, which will immediately summon armed security, who will hold you at gunpoint until the anti-terrorist police arrive. Now those guys are tough...and mean...especially with westerners whom they see as supporting the terrorists. They will take you away in a heavily armed convoy...after stripping you naked...to a special place they've got up near Hafr Al Batin, in the desert. In summer especially, it is baking there, with no AC of course. There, you will be locked 24/7 in a tiny, pitch dark cell, and the only thing you will feel after a few days is the foot-long centipedes that will crawl all over you. You will get fetid water to drink daily, but food only once a week, whose origins I wouldn't question. This will last about 2 months, with daily torture sessions, to find out who your big financial associates are. The torture is pretty severe, it involves (I've heard but cannot confirm) things like pulling out a fingernail or a toenail each day, sharp electric shock treatment to the genitals, and slow strangulation. I've also heard they deafen you with high pitched whistles until you are screaming out of your mind, and make you swallow baby scorpions.

Still, the consolation is that it WILL end. They will eventually show you some mercy and let you go, but after chopping off your feet, arms, ears and...well, elaboration not required. You will eventually be found in the desert alive and free, but of course you will be armless, footless, deaf, blind and incapacitated in other areas. You will be found by journalists after your release is "leaked" to the media, so you will be an example to the international financial community.

You will also, due to the publicity, attract the attention of Mossad, the CIA and Russian secret service. However, I won't go into that now.

This is the price of unlawfully attempting to change money.

[trapezius]

[scot47]

Al Falak and these other contractors are on dodgy ground. These people are not here 'on business'. They are here on a labour contract. They should have Igamas. What happens in the event of a problem ?

My advice is go for a REAL labour contract. They ARE still available.

And as far as I know banks will not transfer money if you have no Igama. These Francophones in BSF (formerly 'Banque de l'Indochine') may well be doing something dodgy too ! Certainly in Riyadhj Bank they will not entertain any of this hanky-panky !

[Bebsi]

[Bebsi]