Job Discussion Forums

SCHUBERT · Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Posts: 71

The world�s becoming a meaner place for efl man and woman. I notice Bell advertising for Saudi and Libya. One friend was phone interviewed for both positions recently. BELL offered him STER 22.000 for a 12 month contract in Libya. 1 month hols per year (really 1 month with Ramadan thrown in for good measure). The contract would also entail the teacher (possibly) being moved to another BELL center every few month. But, the interviewer added, food would be thrown in for free.

The Saudi contract for Riyadh would also allow for 1 month holiday but specified this should be taken at the end of the contract. So I guess, BELL EDUCATIONAL TRUST understand that man might be in need of a holiday after spending 11 months in Riyadh. But, the interviewer added, there would be no free food thrown in on the Saudi contract. What on earth have we come to, eh !

I don�t know but the recession blues carry a lot more dignity than getting some BELL Executives in Cambridge Fat on the back of my sweat. How much do these fat Execs receive for delivering you body and soul into these alien environments ? I would venture a lot more than your annual salary. It just plain aint right

BrownSauce · Joined: 31 Dec 2008 Posts: 87 Location: Fantasy Island

A meaner place indeed, Schubert. I have recently consulted several of my colleagues who have worked for Bell in Libya, and their news has not been at all good.

In fact, what I have heard has been astonishing. They have told me that on arrival in Libya they are forced to sign another contract, which features a smaller salary than that stated by Bell in England. Furthermore, I have also been informed that in Libya the co-ordinators are forced to undertake extra duties without further pay.

I am sure we don't need to tell them that this sort of scandalous behaviour is both illegal and immoral, and relflects very poorly on the Bell organisation. When I told Bell's UK recruitment co-ordinator about this, he denied all knowledge - which either means he don't know what's going on once his recruits leave the UK (perhaps he does not want to know) or he is lying.

I must say that I have been very disappointed at this news. I had always thought that Bell was a reputable and respectable organisation, but now it seems that they are happy to collude in untoward and shady practices of this sort, eager to exploit innocent English teachers in a foreign country. They should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.

sharter · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 878 Location: All over the place

I'm direct hire in Libya with an oil company. I go home every 6 weeks for 3, have all food and accommodation paid for and have BUPA/Aspire health cover worldwide except for the US. I make more than 50 grand U.S.D a year.

Bell interviewed me for the GECOL post 3 years ago, they also have a gig with Ras Lanuff Oil; what they offer is an insult. Libya's booming and Bell were offering 25 grand GBP 3 years ago. I declined the job after the refused to answer my questions about me paying tax as a UK non-resident.

Horrabin or whatever his name is, was a real shmarm.

'Trust' my ar**

princessofquitealot · Joined: 05 Nov 2003 Posts: 38 Location: Malaysia

Sharter: Is your company recruiting? Is there an upper age limit? Do they hire women? Do they only hire British Nationals?

sharter · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 878 Location: All over the place

The only women hired here are medical staff and that goes pretty much for all the NOC (National Oil Company)companies in Libya.

However, there are jobs that pay OK for women here; in fact there's one on tefl.com right now. The jobs for women are all in Tripoli and things like IELTS and PET are booming. Try writing direct to BP in Tripoli, I know they employ teachers from a company that has female trainers. Anglo Petroleum Training are a poor outfit to work for, but you could go out with them and do what everyone else does ie bugger off to someone better.

In general you'll find lots of British,Irish,Australian types here as well as Canadians. The Americans are coming back though.

khmerhit · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:45 pm Post subject:

I lived in Cambridge for ten years, no joke. One of the most chilling experiences of my life was a thirty second phone call to the Bell education trust --ahem-- and --trust me, I know chiilling snobbery when I hear it, I grew up in north toronto!!

C A M B O D I A
try it and see Cool

BrownSauce · Joined: 31 Dec 2008 Posts: 87 Location: Fantasy Island

Recent news from my colleagues working at Bell reports that things are going from bad to worse, especially with the local employer and their insistence on ignoring the contract that the teacher signed in the UK.

It would be nice if Bell UK could put their point of view here. I see that two fromer threads about Bell in Libya have been pulled recently, so at least that proves that they read these pages - and don't like what they see!