Job Discussion Forums

[Cuffs]

Morning all,

I'm due to arrive in Saudi soon to start work for Aramco through Al Falak. I'm a little unclear as to where I'm actually going to end up - originally I was told Abqaiq, but in an errant email sent to me from someone at Al Falak I noticed that that had changed to Dhahran. I've emailed Al Falak asking for confirmation but still await a reply. For the sake of argument, let's assume I'm going to Abqaiq.

From what I can gather from previous posts on the topic, I will not be eligible to live on the Aramco compound in Abqaiq as I won't be direct hire - correct? I'm therefore at something of a loss to know how to organize housing from overseas, as there doesn't seem to be much in Abqaiq apart from the Aramco compound. Several Saudi students who I have been teaching recently in the UK have told me that Abqaiq is basically a bedouin town with a bloody great oil refinery parked on top of it. Anyone with information that could help me out, please get in touch.

On a related topic, how long will I have to wait to get my salary on a regular basis? On the assumption that I won't be able to open a bank account until I get an iqama, anyone who has been through the iqama process with Al Falak, please also get in touch.

Regards

Cuffs

[trapezius]

For your sake I hope it is Dhahran and not Abqaiq.

Some info on Abqaiq: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abqaiq

[ThaneKerner]

Trap, I don't know who you pissed off in a previous life, but he/she is making sure you pay the price now. I've heard of few who have the luck you have. Your avatar fits you well.

[The Lathe of Heaven]

Aramco!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'd work in the deepest, darkest, hottest corners of hell just to get into Aramco. Even though a contractor is doing the hiring and you miss out on some perks. You got your foot in the tent opening.

Take the job!

Regards.

TLOH

[Cuffs]

Thanks for your replies so far. I have already accepted the job and the paperwork is well underway on this side. It's just unclear how long it all takes once I arrive to get the iqama - perhaps this question is unanswerable. The main thrust of my orginal questions were to ascertain how much I'm going to have to fork out for housing in Abqaiq, and how much money I'm going to have to bring with me to cover me until I can get my salary in to a local bank. Any enlightenment is welcome.

Cuffs

[BillCowher]

Most likely your contract stipulates you will be given housing as part of your contract. If not, I have no idea in that area. You can under no circumstances, get a bank account ever without the iquama so you will probably be paid in cash on the normal payday. You say you are starting today, Sept 21 (?) & I wonder who you would teach since everything in the country is shut until the 26th for the end of ramadamadingdong holiday.

[Wastaman]

Haven�t you read any of the threads on Al Falak or the other shyster recruiters?

Are they only recruiting you for Aramco or will you be working for them as a contractor?

If you are working as a contractor you will be expected to stump up for your own accommodation and insurance out of your pay.

You will not be able to open a bank account as you need an iqama for that, Al Falak will have you on a business visa which you will be expected to pay for and renew on a regular basis (all highly illegal).

Don�t get me wrong direct higher for Aramco is a great gig by Saudi standards but if you end up being a contractor be prepared to accept that your �directly hired� colleagues doing the same work as you have the long holidays, nice accommodation, health insurance and all perks that you can only dream of.

Make sure you know what you�re getting into.

[Cuffs]

Thanks again for your replies.

Bill, I don't know where you got the impression that I was starting today, as I never stated that. I have been told that I have to be there by 21st October. I'm currently organizing the paperwork from the UK.

Wastaman, while recruitment through Al Falak may not be as desirable as direct hire, I'm happy with the terms of the contract I have in front of me and as such see no reason for envy of direct hires. I am paying for my own accommodation, but that is a variable cost subject to my own tastes. As far as I can tell through the swamp of legalese in Article 4 Paragraphs 1 & 2 and Article 18 Paragraph 1 here, http://www.gosi.gov.sa/_SocialInsurance.php, I'm liable to pay 2% of my salary towards Occupational Hazard insurance. If your eyes are slower to glaze over than mine are, forgive me if I'm wrong. 2% - so what? Anyway, I'd prefer not to discuss the details of my contract here.

I've got a one-man tent.

Regards

Cuffs

[BillCowher]

I must have confused someone else's post about the arrival date with one of yours, sorry.

Doesn't your contract address the issue of housing directly? That is a major flaw if it isn't addressed somehow. You will probably need all kinds of documents & signatures from your employer just to be able to rent a place. In KSA you can't even get a post office box or rent a car without: iquama, note from the employer etc. To rent a car you will need a Saudi DL, not an International License & that Saudi DL requires notes & documents from your employer. To rent a car you will also need a note from your boss for some unknown reason. You can, however, drive a car on your International DL if someone else will rent one for you.

[ThaneKerner]

Jesus. That Iqama is the lifeline in the Kingdom of Saud.

Can one drink water without an Iqama? Eat? Breath? Use the toilet?

Just checking.

[BillCowher]

Once you have the iquama you are a prisoner in the country. You cannot leave under any circumstances without a letter from your employer. My employer, International House once denied exit to a teacher whose parent died so he could attend the funeral. They also once took a teacher to Bahrain to extend his business visa & just left him out with no pay or ticket.

In retrospect, probably the best way to be in Saudi is under a business visa because then you can demand you never give your passport to anyone for any reason. Of course it is illegal to work with a business visa; but when you find out your boss is a thief or even worse (like I did), you can leave the country regardless. I actually have no idea what would happen at the airport because there is a form you have to fill out with the name & address of your sponsor. When I left I just put his name & the name & city of the school & nobody questioned me. The employer in my case had purchased my ticket anyway so there was no (little) need for me to worry.

One should never be in Saudi without the money to purchase a ticket from Kuwait or Bahrain. To fly from KSA through Bahrain is much cheaper than the same ticket from Bahrain direct though.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

[Wastaman]

Cuffs,

While I admire your pluck Adam I really think you don�t have a full grasp of the situation.

You say that you�re prepared to pay for your own accommodation, fair enough but do you have any idea of the costs and hassle involved? Most landlords require a 6 month deposit, most accommodation (other than on overpriced compounds) comes without a stick of furniture and you�ll be lucky to find a place equipped with a/c units.

So you�ll have to factor in the deposit, furniture a/c etc into the setting up costs.

I�ve no idea of where you�ll be staying or what your particular tastes are but you�re talking at least 2000-3000 a month for accommodation.

I am informed by some former Al Falak employees that you�re expected to pay for your own flights and to cover all visa costs (including extensions and trips to, and accommodation in Bahrain)

Still if you are, as you say, happy with the terms of the contract then good luck to you Sir. I am in no way trying to be sarcastic here, best of luck and let us know how you get on.

[Linda467]

NCTBA

Good way of putting it, and in case most of you have forgotten, we are all accepted there not welcome, specially anglos and just to remind you guys about recent history a simple fact of live, just put yourself on the shoes of every person going now through USA or UK borders without a European Passport or similar properly issued documentation and you�ll get my point.

Back in time some of us Europeans felt like we were coming from Africa or something

Good day !

[007]