Job Discussion Forums

[johnslat]

Dear trapezius,
What rights? If you are foolish enough to try to bring any with you, they're always all confiscated at Customs (but you can get them back when you leave.)
Regards,
John

[trapezius]

Ha, true!

desertmonkey, there is only one thing that needs to be done now by you: writing a book about your ordeal.

If you put everything to paper, if you think it can reach a 100 pages at least, I would strongly suggest you do it. This will serve 3 great and noble purposes:

1) It will forewarn others who might be considering a job at the school, and thus save them. You will earn reward from God for that.

2) It will demonize the demons, and perhaps put an end to their diabolical acts. The Prophet Muhammad told us that if we see evil, we should try to stop it with our hands, if we can't, with our tongues, and if we can't, with our hearts, and that is the weakest level of faith. If you write your memoir with that intention, then you will earn reward from God for that as well.

3) And finally, it will give you some (maybe lots!) money. And again, earning money through legitimate methods earns you reward from God.

If I went through what you had to go through, I surely would very strongly consider writing my account, unless I was executed/jailed for murdering someone from the school admin.

I hope and pray no one else has to go through what you had to go through, even though I know my prayer is futile. As we speak/write, there are tens of thousands going through ordeals ten times worse than yours. Try not being paid for 20 years as a maid or as a shepherdess (yes, there are foreign shepherdesses in this country), being tortured, starved, or even being killed.

Don't get me wrong; I am not trivializing what you went through, just pointing out that far far worse goes down here, and that's where your [future] book comes in: telling the world about what goes down here, in the hopes of putting an end to such scums. Imagine what happens to people earning a tenth or even a twentieth of what you were supposed to be paid per month.

I hope you will write. And if not, you should at least tell your story to The Daily Mail; even that can have a big impact.

Good luck!

P.S.

[Mark100]

A grim tale but not one that is unique to this poor individual.

Heard and saw similar stories.

That is the lottery of KSA.

Picking the right employers is always important.

Always remember you have no rights in KSA.

[Asda]

Hmmmm...well, I truly sympathise with the likes of DM. It's a shame that people get treated that way and moreover that people are allowed to get away with doing so! I am in the middle of my 2nd (academic) year here and I, admittedly, moved to Jeddah so I could be close(r) to Makkah and Madinah. Like anywhere, working in KSA is a mixed bag. The problem is that you can either end up with a treasure trove or a damp, smelly sock!! I love the quote about mixing business with pilgrimmage!!

I took a job where my family's flights are not covered, their medical cover is half (the amount) and only in 1 or 2 hospitals at that. Plus I work Thursdays as well. I went into the job knowing all this so I know, you make your bed, you lie in it.

I am looking to move on after not this year, but the following year because my son is settled in his school in that he knows the teachers and the kids + they know him etc. He's in KG2 now so next year, he'll have finished KG 3 and would have to move sections anyway - so it won't make too much of a difference even if we change cities.

I am glad I took this job as I have come to know that living near Makkah still means you have to go out of your way to go there even once a week (especially when you have family + kids who go to school etc). At the time of flying out, I also had a job offer in Cowbar with a company that's NOT HAPPY (know what I mean?!) with a considerably better offer. I came to know a few months ago that that institute has actually folded!!

Still, I am thankful for the mercies that I do have like getting paid on time, not having too much to do (though I fear turning into a vegetable! hence the intended move after a couple more years). You can also sneak in and out of 'core hours' kinda regularly...theoretically, AHEM!

I am looking to Riyadh and the East purely because there are more jobs out there, with better pay as well. Plus I hear those places are not as dumpy as J-town!!! However, I trust it won't be so easy to sneak in and out plus I imagine there'll be significantly more workload. Still, that comes with the higher salary and I guess I have to start working hard again at some point in my life! HAHA!!

DM, I hope you find what you're looking for. If you did the seeking-good prayer, then surely there is wisdom behind your ordeal. You may not see it immediately. If you didn't, then do so next time!

[trapezius]

[johnslat]

Dear trapezius,

Cowbar: That's where all the cattle go to drink. Alcohol's illegal only for us humans (and I wouldn't steer you wrong.)

Regards,
John

[trapezius]

[Sheikh N Bake]

Only two thaaannngs come outta Khobar--steers...and que*ers. Which one are you, boy?