Job Discussion Forums

johnslat · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 3:11 pm Post subject:

Dear isabel,
The designation, "The projects" has a decidedly bad connotation. In the USA, the projects are usually very low-income housing, badly constructed and meant for poor (and usually minority) tenants.
Regards,
John

isabel · Joined: 07 Mar 2003 Posts: 510 Location: God's green earth

isabel · Joined: 07 Mar 2003 Posts: 510 Location: God's green earth

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

The 'Projects' are what in the UK we call council estates.

brasscat · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 11:27 am Post subject: Oryx I Walls

As of 27 June and still going, work crews are tearing down all the privacy walls around the villas.

Seems some of the walls were about to fall over due to cracks and leaning.
brasscat

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

Yes, and the demolition work is causing further fissures in the buildings and has caused some patios and walkways to collapse.

Some speculate that this is being done to reduce Oryx 1 to the dismal conditions of the Balad Compound, so there won't be pressures from faculty there to move over to Oryx.

Now that they have turned to outdoors to rubbish and emptied the pool at Oryx 1, PMU has finally been successful at one of their endeavors.

Again there are rumors that they want to turn Oryx into either an all Arab or all Western compound.

After over a year there are now security lights on the perimeter of the compound. The bulbs needed to be replaced. Funds could not be approved. But an administrator wondered why the electric bill was so low for the compound (duh! no pool, no lights, internet only works on occasion, so computers are down) so maintenance was able to get the money for the bulbs so the electric bill would look normal. And the doors to the common hall are being left open to drain air con. I'm not sure if I believe this story, though, because it is just to clever to credit to anyone over there.

brasscat · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 3:36 pm Post subject: Tis True

All spoken is true and has been eyewitnessed by me.

Let us not forget the falling ceiling tiles, sent one faculty member to the hospital.

There is also the rampaging rug rat brigade every night after 10 PM.
brasscat

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 3:46 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 3:53 pm Post subject:

Dear Mia,
And it's good to see that the passive voice is being used to obscure responsibility - one of its primary functions, especially in politics.
Regards,
John

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

brasscat · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 9:17 pm Post subject: Injured Faculty

The Australian faculty member of the injury incident was assisted by me.

He did get his benefits after "Operation Great White". He is now safely at home and receiving further medical care.

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

Housing is an important, very important, consideration for taking a job in the Kingdom. Frankly, the main problem with PMU housing is there is absolutely no commitment to repairing or maintaining it. The complete disinterest of the administration in the well-being of the faculty and staff. The faculty have their concerns, but the housing and treatment of the Philippinos is deplorable.

It is only one aspect of the job at PMU, but the complete lack of care and respect can be seen in the housing problems.

Evan2009 · Joined: 26 Dec 2008 Posts: 41

I thought I had read somewhere that some hospital pulled their employees out of one of the PMU compounds for lack of security. I see a lot of complaints about poor living conditions but what about security. IS THERE ANY REAL SECURITY?

johnslat · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 2:05 pm Post subject:

Dear Evan2009,

"IS THERE ANY REAL SECURITY?"

To slightly paraphrase Solon: "Call no one secure until s/he is dead."

Regards,
John