Job Discussion Forums

pegycove · Joined: 07 Aug 2009 Posts: 17 Location: saudi arabia

hello

I have been interviewed and accepted but am still waiting for the offer and contract.

pegy

EFLUndercover · Joined: 26 May 2007 Posts: 82

Teacher's salaries last year were between 12,000 Saudi Riyals and 14,000 Saudi Riyals. Coordinator's salaries started at 15,500.

Now if you have been offered less than that for this coming academic year then you will be faced with the same work load as the teachers returning from last year but who will be making a higher salary than you.

Also shared housing is no joke. If you can imagine sharing your living space for the next 10 months with someone you've just met then go for it. As Forrest Gump said, "Life is a like a bowl of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get". And that is so true with regard to a roommate.

Oh... and I forgot, you may be subject to or should I say, the 'victim' of AlObeikan's 'creative accounting system' as the year goes on. Some of last year's teachers still have not been paid their full salaries and it is August.

If you're willing to take the risk go for it, but do not dismiss this information as that of some disgruntled employee. Your fellow colleagues will have plenty of 'nightmares' to share with you when you come on board. You'll see.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:27 pm Post subject:

floja · Joined: 08 Aug 2009 Posts: 10

jaygray · Joined: 29 Nov 2008 Posts: 10

Im sure it will come as no surprise to hear that so far none of the money owed has been paid back.

Bell seem to be letting ORD go about their dirty dealing. And to think Bell have such a good reputation in UK!

Lots of teachers have staged "sit ins" but to no avail of course. What an utter shambles.

And I hear Bell have ANOTHER contract in Riyadh now.......maybe a Reality TV Channel should set up there - it would be so entertaining!

Vulcan Warrior · Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 12:27 pm Post subject:

I agree with Jaygray about BELL's reputation in the UK - BELL is generally held in very high regard. It is sad that the same cannot be said (based upon what's been reported on this forum) about their operation in Saudi Arabia.

But if the KSU/Obekan/BELL operation is being managed so poorly, why, if Jaygray is correct, has BELL recently picked up another contract in the magical kingdom?

Or, maybe the better question is, who would be foolish enough to offer them another contract?

Grendal · Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 1:08 pm Post subject:

Here is the latest I recieved from Bell:

EFLUndercover · Joined: 26 May 2007 Posts: 82

Grendal, I hope you are a man, because if you are a woman then you will not get a visa for your family.

Many female teachers were lured to the Bell project last year with the promise that they would be able to bring over their families within 3 months time on a family iqaamah. However, that turned out to be a lie. Women cannot sponsor their families on the Bell/AlObeikan contract.

AlObeikan (conveniently) blamed it on government regulations that they (conveniently) remembered once the female teachers found out that they had been duped. They were only able to bring their families over on visit visas that they have to renew every 3 months at their own expense.

Perhaps Bell the company has a good reputation in England, but the people they send abroad coupled with the corrupt administration in existance at AlObeikan make for a bad mix.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Vulcan Warrior · Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 3:07 pm Post subject:

EFLundercover -

Is it that women can't bring their families to Saudi Arabia on a family visa in any case, or is it that KSU/Obekan/Bell won't allow it?

If this is a benefit "dis-allowed" only by KSU/Obekan/Bell, why is that and is it legal?

EFLUndercover · Joined: 26 May 2007 Posts: 82

Female teachers working for Bell/AlObeikan CAN bring their families in on a visit visa after they have obtained their iqaamah. The teachers, however, CANNOT convert a visit visa to a family residence visa. This means that if the family is entirely dependent on the wife's employment, then she is considered single status and the family gets NO benefits. Kids can't go to school nor do they get medical insurance. At the very least she can get family accommodation or a housing allowance.

However, if the husband is employed then he CAN get a residence iqaamah for himself AND his family and all the benefits that go with it. EXCEPT Bell/AlObeikan DOES NOT offer an educational allowance for children.

Family residence visas are only offered to male staff who can add their wives and children on their iqaamah, but a wife as the sole employee CANNOT do the same.

Female teachers even if married are given SINGLE status iqaamahs and medical insurance. This has proven to be quite embarrassing for some of the pregnant teachers, who when they show up to deliver their babies, are told that the costs are not covered. WHY? Because according to your insurance you are PREGNANT OUT OF WEDLOCK! You can imagine the shock on the husband's face when he gets that news!

The rule has to do with AlObeikan as a business entity and not an educational institution, I think, but don't quote me on that. I have also known teachers that have worked directly for KSU and could not obtain family iqaamahs either.

Perhaps someone else knows the exact laws and their legality, but I hope what I have shared helps.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

If it's a business visa you can't bring your family over, male or female. If it's a work visa I can't understand why not.

EFLUndercover · Joined: 26 May 2007 Posts: 82

This rule applies to females sponsoring families. It is an Ministry of Immigration rule apparently, but I do not know what categories of employers are exempt from it.

The female teachers did confirm their denial with immigration, but on what basis, I'll have to ask one of them and then get back to the forum.

Grendal · Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 9:59 pm Post subject:

EFLUndercover · Joined: 26 May 2007 Posts: 82

Grendal, Bell doesn't do business visas. Last year, they recruited teachers throughout the year, even as late as April and brought them in on work visas. Although after that, the time between converting the work visa into an actual residence iqaamah took several months with some teachers not getting it until the academic year was almost over.

You notice the ad doesn't mention anything about family visas. It is a single status contract. However, as I mentioned above, male teachers were able to add their families to their residence iqaamahs.