Job Discussion Forums

[bangkok_bob]

This is how the scam works:

If you stay one year, you won't get vaction pay.

If you renew the contract for the second year and return to Oman in September, you'll get vacation pay for the first year, but not for the second year.

If you renew the contract for the third year, and return to Oman in September, you'll get your vacation pay for the second year but not for the third year.

In other words:

If you work one year, no vacation pay.

If you work five years, you'll get vacation pay for four years but not for the fifth year.

If you work nine years, you'll get vacation pay for eight years, but not for the ninth year.

[scot47]

The name of the place would put me off. Sounds like something from a sinister sci-fi movie.

My advice is to stick to institutions in the state sector.

[veiledsentiments]

Unfortunately Mr Scot... like 90% of the current jobs in Oman go through these definitely shady recruiters. So, if entry level teachers trying to get that first job in the Gulf... want to work in Oman... they have little choice.

And... they are hiring for state sector... MoHE.

VS

[Duffy]

Arabian Hawk not here to defend his colleagues or, umm, should I say his financial friends and sponsors????????
Duffy

[veiledsentiments]

[eslbear]

To the OP.....I don't think I understand your shock at this "scam" - let me get this straight, if you stay for only the one year and don't come back, you expect to be paid for a vacation that you did not take? How is that a scam?

I am not defending the recruiter, just questioning the OP's point - if I was running the program, I wouldn't pay you either. Vacation pay for quitting?? Thank you but no.....

eslbear

[veiledsentiments]

I would disagree... of course, it depends on how the contract reads... normally at the completion of the academic year, one gets X amount of paid vacation... be it 30 or 60 days. Thus if you complete the two semesters, you should have that amount of pay coming whether or not you plan to come back. If you have been there working 11 months and there is a one month paid vacation, it has nothing to do with your coming back and doing a second year. (unless the contract states this, but I have never heard of such a thing)

When I left Oman in mid-year (because they asked to stay an extra semester), I received 1/2 of the normal vacation pay added to my final salary. They suggested to me that this was Omani employment law (along with 1/2 of the gratuity). This was direct hire, not a recruiter, of course.

VS

[eslbear]

Fair enough -if it is a labor law stipulation, then a case can be easily made. If it was mentioned in the contract then it is simply buyer beware and one's own fault to accept it.

If it is in the contract and clearly contravenes the labor law, then legal action can be taken - and, btw, for those who might say "don't bother, the law is inept, expensive or corrupt", then you are mistaken. The Ministry of Manpower is very responsive and objective and will help you if you are being cheated. The word "scam"in this case seems a bit misleading.

I think the labor law states that a worker must complete 12 months of service to be eligible for these benefits which means that no teacher would qualify after an 8 or 10 month first year.

I am sorry if the OP feels cheated but I don't think employers can really get away with actually "scamming"anyone anymore - they might massage the contract in their favor but then, one should know what he is signing from the start. The labor law is downloadable from the web and so the whole experience is as transparent as can be.

eslbear

[ThaneKerner]

[ThaneKerner]

MOD edit