Job Discussion Forums

[dubaiman]

Any information regarding this company and the present working conditions and benefits?

[Nora22]

I keep seeing the Serte Oil Company advertisements on several job boards. It sounds like a good deal. I�ve seen negative posts from several years ago, but not much recent information. I would appreciate any and all accurate current information on this outfit, or any leads on similar jobs, i.e. fairly well paid rotations in oil camps, etc. Thanks.

[sharter]

They recruit through Smart Recruitment.

I work for Sirte Oil.

PM me.

[Nora22]

I see a response from Sharter, but I can;t PM yet. I have an Email at live.com if they would be so kind.........

[Dataman]

Hi guys. I've just joined the forums here and am also interested in Sirte and other rotational jobs. Would be pleased to hear of any recent experiences or recommendations.

[BobMcC]

Is this place for real?

[thee01]

Does anyone know if Sirte is still hiring?

I can't PM - but if you do, could you let me know?

I have 6 years experience and an MS in TESOL.

Cheers,
T.

[BobMcC]

Hello. This company seems to advertise quite often. I would like to know if anyone has any recent feedback about them. Some posters seem to have liked them. Others have bad stories to report. Their jobs sound pretty good. if there is any truth to what they tell applicants. Any recent personal tales? Thanks,

[Pikgitina]

Try posting on the General Middle East Forum. You may get some more information there. Try doing a search on that forum, too. This place may have been discussed there before.

[sharter]

Sirte Oil a 42/21 rotation and salaries see to start and end at or near 30 Gs (GBP) as advertised.
3 training departments, but very few expats now. 2 centres in Brega and 1 in the field.
Accommodation is usually a caravan or single room.
Think Africa and then sing ;'who's gonna take me home tonight?'
It's a gig where you've got to bring everything...including a pillowcase, scissors etc.
Food is eaten in the canteen...in Brega it's a metal tray.
Limited access to internet.
Buy your own telly and dish etc.
They pay on time.
The students are nice.
It's about the money.
No-one new has come for ages.

[BobMcC]

Has anyone ever received a response from this company? I sent them an application, got an acknowledgement, then nothing for three months. Is this their usual habit?

[dilbur]

There is a number of you wondering about what its like to work in Libya and in particular, working for Sirte Oil Company (SOC). You may want to consider the following BEFORE you apply for a job with them or BEFORE you accept their offer.

Following is based on my personal account. I HAVE been to Brega...! I was hired by this company and I accepted their offer (which I was told by my recruiter would increase by about 30% shortly after I join - it NEVER happened) but only until I was able to secure a better offer in a better place. I quit SOC after 2 months!!!

* Residential compound is located in Marsa El Brega. Locally, it is known as just Brega for short. This is also where the main petrochemical refinery is located. The air often smells like ammonia..

* Houses are quite run down, old, smelly, very dusty, poorly furnished if at all and cockroach infested in many cases. Air conditioning units, though very very old, are provided and in somewhat working condition.

* There are NO parks, NO theaters, NO bowling alleys; basically there is nothing there for entertainment.

* Medical services are provided "free" but hospital equipment is old, to say the least, and definityely NOT modern. Hospital staff is almost entirely MALE and a mixture of Libyan and Filipino. I personally would never want to see a doctor here. Medical care available, from what I have observed, is quite basic.

* There are NO schools for expat children in Brega.

* There is only one "grocery" store in the compound which offers very limited choices.

* Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided at the local cantene. Food is generally pretty good. Its a cafeteria style buffet but you don't help yourself to the food...... you pick up a metal tray, get in line, and the servers give you whatever you point at........ask for an extra piece of chicken and you may be turned down sometimes...... You can get a little bit of everything as you move up in the queue and for the most part, you woun't be able to finish everything on your tray.

* At the cantene, if you have any particular dietary requirements such as low sodium or low cholesterol etc.... GOOD LUCK..

* You will have to buy/bring your own TV, your own satellite dish, your own telephone sets, your own DVD players etc. There is also NO Blockbuster Video here... Bring your OWN everything.

* Most company vehicles are very old, reconditioned or beat up. There are LOTS of Toyota Land Cruisers there......... from 30 years ago... I really don't know how they're still running.. Last time I saw those kinds of vehicles was when I was still a kid.

* Western expats are very very few and far in between. The few expats working for SOC I came across had been working for SOC for many many years on rotational basis. I am sorry to say this, but in my opinion, they are; a) rejects and outcasts who couldn't be hired elsewhere & b) desperate for work. Aramco compounds are a HEAVEN compared to SOC compound

* SOC pays on time but the pay is much lower than what you can/should expect elsewhere. What they offer is insultingly low. Its a good salary if you're a Filipino but an insult if you're a western expat.

* Access to Internet is a luxury and is NOT provided at your residence. You need to use a Net Cafe for all your "surfing" pleasures.... for about a dollar an hour. BTW, headphones are NOT provided at the Cafe.

* Calling overseas to US/Canada is quite expensive. For 10 Libyan Dinars (about US$7) you can talk for about 11 minutes...... Skype is best but then you have no privacy when in the Cafe. The so-called "high speed" Net connection in your office will NOT be fast enough for Vonage. I tried it...... didn't work..

In a nutshell, life in Brega is like being in a prison camp. If you want to know what it feels like being in the SLAMMER..... this is the place for you..


Thats about all I have for now. If any of you have any more or any specific questions, feel free to contact me by email.

[email protected]

I hope information I have provided is helpful.

Regards.

[sharter]

Sounds like Dilbur couldn't handle it.

However, Brega serves its purpose. It's a good place to save money and 30-40 thousand GBP isn't bad at all for 42 days at a time. SOC pays on time, 12 months a year and 6x 3-week holidays ain't bad.

I'm still under 40 and disagree with the reference to washed up oldies. It's an ok paid, long-term job with lots of hols. I'm in the field where I have access to a modern gym and share a tv lounge with one other Brit. I also have internet/mobile access and the food is much better than at HQ.

Rotations are rotations because they are harsh...maybe Dilbur your expectations were off. I personally prefer this to Saudi. I get more leave, similar money and autonomy in the work place. Moreover, Libyans are much better students.

If you stay here long term you build up all the luxuries, which some need to get through life. Personally, I prefer to go running or to the gym....a room is something for sleeping in.

It's horses for courses, but the beginning is hard-that I won't deny.

[flyingcarpet]

[M.A.R.K.O]

Hi everybody!! I'm considering to accept a job in Al Brega for SIRTE OIL. I'm computer engineer and I have no idea about the job I 'm going to do there. I'm also worried about the life conditions like bad food, old houses.. Is it true that there is not social life at all? Is there any body who can help me with any information about the company or aobut Brega? Thanks a lot.