Job Discussion Forums

word_to_the_wise · Joined: 28 May 2007 Posts: 67 Location: Riyadh

If the Bell gig in Riyadh is so bad, then where (out of 350 teachers) are all the complaints??

Why does it have such an impressive retention rate?

Why so few resignations?

Why, with well over 1000 views, have so few decided to post comments?

Of course you only here the complaints...from the odd few that probably were asked to leave - or think they deserve better but interestingly nobody is prepared to offer them a better paid job.

BVD · Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Ottawa

Hi there. I have accepted a job with Bell/ORD and am just awaiting my visa here in Canada. I just started reading this thread and am a little concerned. however, during the process, the Bell staff I have been in contact with have been very helpful and the contract was very fast. I notice no hiccups like those explained here.
I am just doing a 5 month contract to save money. So money is the major concern. I've read that pay days are flaky at best. Is this consistent for all staff, or is this a few random souls. And is getting my reimbursements for visa fees going to be impossible?? I won't be very happy.
Anyone worked in Lybia, maybe I should head there.

word_to_the_wise · Joined: 28 May 2007 Posts: 67 Location: Riyadh

You've already decided that there are going to be problems, so why bother going?

BVD · Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Ottawa

why bother going. There's a confidence booster. By no means am I expecting problems. I'm asking if it is consistent that there are problems so I can be prepared. And if you read you would see that I have decided to go anyway. Why bother posting.

rio darro · Joined: 04 Dec 2008 Posts: 28

BVD,
Circle the wagons bud! These here Comanches got some fine arrows. Did you not first read the map? best of luck, RD

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 8:02 am Post subject:

rd, if you're THAT thin-skinned, then don't go to Saudi. Otherwise, get hired by these outfits. At the moment, you're nothing more than a nuisance. All I hear from you is this support for "all the other down-trodden and repressed". If you're all that, take the job! It's jes' that simple!

Besides, didn't I read an "Adios" from you? It seems as if you're looking for trouble girlfren'.

NCTBA

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

KSA is not a place for delicate souls who are easily offended.

jaygray · Joined: 29 Nov 2008 Posts: 10

I think the gals got paid about 3 days late in the end....altho apparently money is still owed from previous mess ups. And still owed to us too.

perhps others arent posting as they dont have internet at their new apartments !?!

ok so new projects take a while to get off the ground but the mens university is in its 2nd year and still chaotic

BTW - I heard that women are being refused visas for their families now....only men being allowed to bring spouses. Lots of misery for mothers missing their bairns.....

johnslat · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:40 pm Post subject:

Dear scot47,

"KSA is not a place for delicate souls who are easily offended.:

And yet, you have resided there for, lo, these many years - the exception that proves the rule, perhaps.

Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Delicate ? Me ? I will have you know I am as tough as old boots.

johnslat · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 6:26 pm Post subject:

Dear scot47,

Old boots: rough on the outside, soft on the inside. That's why we never throw them away.

Regards,
John

jaygray · Joined: 29 Nov 2008 Posts: 10

The latest from the University that could make a fortune as a reality TV show�.

Despite the fact that its not written in the contract (and many people still haven�t even got one) Obekan have decided to start charging us 100 riyal per month per person for utilities. So if you live with your wife you get to pay double.

Not only have they just thrown this in the table but they have decided to backdate it to the time you arrived in KSA. So some of us couples are looking forward to having circa 1400 deducted from this months pay.

Many people are still owed a lot of money as Obekan don�t seem to have the hang of conducting payroll. So if your off sick with a med note it�s a gamble as to whether you get paid or not. And if you don�t, don�t expect it to be corrected in a hurry.

On the womans side the head honcho (non muslem) was suddenly sacked recently and replaced with a new one (muslem !!). I gather the single white females are still living out in the boondocks under the control of �. you guessed it � an Islamic housemom.

Not sure what Bell are doing about this. Doesn�t seem to be much.

Theres talk of visits to the labor office.

Make of this what you will � am just reportin the news�.. not makin judgements.

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2009 3:19 pm Post subject:

Linguist · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 202

johnslat · Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2009 8:41 pm Post subject:

Dear Linguist,
To the best of my knowledge, you're correct. But then, as you undoubtedly know already, the Kingdom is not really what could be called a "country of laws" since, although many are in place, what really counts is how much wasta you have.
Regards,
John