Job Discussion Forums

[Esmeralda]

Over the years, whilst working in the UAE, we have seen pages of anguished letters from hard-done-by teachers. Most of the time, it appeared that the institutions were the winners. Equally, amongst expatriates in general, there seems to have been an assumption that nobody would get fair treatment in the United Arab Emirates � the Emirates is for Emiratis only!

However, I wish to share my own experience which runs contrary to these impressions. For two years, I worked for Abu Dhabi University, an institution which has received such bad press that Dave�s ESL Caf�, requested that no more complaints be posted, I believe. My experience of this institution was, in common with other teachers, thoroughly negative especially from the point of view of administration. All the stories you have read on Dave�s ESL are true � in fact, a lot more could be written!

The only reason why I continued to work there was that my racial origin and my non-Western qualifications excluded the possibility of getting a full time contract with more reputable institutions.

I was an effective and efficient teacher with no problems with the students although interference from the administration made my work extremely difficult. I had special responsibilities including writing exams. I was formally commended for my teaching performance. Despite this, I was summarily dismissed after completing only two years of my three-year contract. No explanation was given and no compensation was offered. In fact, I was told by the outgoing director that my dismissal was an error on the provost�s part.

To cut a long story short, the director advised me to take my case to the Labour Court. I did this with very little expectation of success. Shortly thereafter, I left the country with even smaller expectations of any justice or remuneration.

Perhaps it was fortunate that I had chosen the legal firm Al Suwaidi &Co. in Dubai on the advice of the director of ADU (Imagine the director of an institution recommending how to pursue legal proceedings against the institution they were working for!). Al Suwaidi launched a dogged pursuit of justice on my behalf and you can imagine my delight when last month I received a full settlement of my claim. This was limited to three months compensation because of Emirati law. However, I now feel vindicated and hope that other people who feel they are mistreated will take courage from my experience and fight their corner. In particular, I would like to recommend Al Suwaidi and Co.

[veiledsentiments]

Congratulations Esmeralda!! Actually you are not the first person that I have heard who won their just compensation through the UAE labor courts, but it normally takes years. Your lawyer was obviously very good.

I hope you have managed to land on your feet and get a new job elsewhere.

VS

[bje]

Thanks for sharing this Esmeralda, and congratulations on a just outcome. I'm sorry you had to go through this at ADU- I'll avoid applying there next time I feel like a change of teaching scene in the UAE.

[bb2]

Esmerelda:

Well done!

I considered doing something similiar when ADU told me I had to pay back my plane ticket (which is not in my contract and against the law) but when I went directly to the MOL, I got mixed messages about what could be done because ADU is a semi-private institution. I didn't think the cost of a ticket was worth paying a lawyer for, so I ended up just letting that one go.

I really want to commend you for fighting ADU and giving a glimpse of hope for the rest of us here who teach and often face similar situations.

[eha]

Congratulations, and thanks for the boost to my belief in the possibility of justice! Actually, I do know of two other cases where people in academic institutions in the UAE -- not ADU, either-----took their cases to court and won. I personally was too demoralized by my own experience to have any fight left in me--- and I didn't know about good lawyers, etc. so I just gave up. Good to know it can happen for someone, though.

[stoth1972]

Great to hear that! I wish people won a case or two against my former employers!

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Maybe there is hope for former Military Language Institute teachers! Unless, GHQ has the wasta to steamroller the court system as well!

NCTBA

[bobbo]

Good for you Esmeralda, I am happy for you. It is an example that no justice will die as long as there is a defender who defends the case.

[Niz1]

Anyone have any horror labor dispute stories for HCT?

[veiledsentiments]

Fortunately they are rare in education, but with many new marginal private employers, there could be more. Back in the early 90's there was a long running case - and they are all long running as it can take years - when a Canadian company decamped with all the salary money and had also not paid rents on a military contract. Landlords kicking people onto the street and cutting power and water in the summer heat. Families having to get help from the churches to feed the kids. Eventually the teachers won, but it took a couple years. Sharjah University had a big suit in its early years as their first administrator kept firing the staff - the westerners that is. Western management staff finally took them to court and won, but again it takes a couple years and you have to stay in country. That administrator was finally fired.

In most cases, it is easier to just leave before a situation gets to the point of going to the courts. The first time my monthly pay did not arrive in my account in the proper amount, I would be packing.

VS

[takeorleave]

Hey y'all - you got to get connected to the right families over here. Going through the courts is for mere beginners.
Get to know the right families - this ain't no thinkin thing. Takeorleave knows plenty ...payoffs work wonders...baksheesh...the old boys club...whatever you want to call it...it is what it is. Takeorleave has been here for as long as any...and it has paid off...you need to listen more to these posts. Sorry you had to go through this - but in fact your case is absolutely nothing compared to the rest of the this region, you should, though, consider yourself a huge exception. Be careful not to worship the petrodollar too hard as many have on these posts, ie, every thread must in some way end in a positive twist to a twisted work environment and IF you really follow what most people write on a regular basis ,ie, some have thousands (it is their whole life) of posts - they slowly contradict themselves and show their real colors. Best of luck to you! Hope you are STRONGER!

[stoth1972]

Student trolls the board again...

[veiledsentiments]

Little student troll has been trying to pretend he's university management lately...

VS

[stoth1972]

I would recognise those incoherent posts anywhere.

[veiledsentiments]

Way back when... his first entries that he later edited back to 'hello' - he admitted to being a student. Thanks for the reminder.

VS