Job Discussion Forums

[Umm 'Abdil-Wahhaab]

I have a question about married couple contracts.

First of all, how does it work? Is the wife considered a dependent on her husband and hired as a local hire (and receiving less pay than an international hire)? Or does she get her own visa with international pay but no benefits?

Is it better for spouses to work for separate companies so that each can get full salary and benefits, if thats even possible (for double benefits)? Would that complicate travel and visa arrangements if you obviously desire to go together (including the children)?

Sorry, but I'm a little confused about the issue.

[Grendal]

Confused?

You and me both.

First of all, is your wife with you now?
If you are here first waiting for you iqamah then your wife would be sponsored by you and be arriving as wife status. This automatically cuts her chances of full expat salary.

If your wife is with you then is she also working in the same company? In this case you would get a double income but some employers are quoting some old saudi law and saying only one housing allowace is legally permitted per couple and giving two would be breaking the law (they won't break the law when it suits them).

hope this helps.

Grendal

[johnslat]

Dear Umm 'Abdil-Wahhaab,

Well, I think first we need some answers:

1. Are you or is your spouse in Saudi now?

2. Have both of you been hired out-of-country (i.e. outside of Saudi?)

This thread MAY help:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=913282&highlight=#913282

(Look for JK01's posts and my responses.)

Regards,
John

[Umm 'Abdil-Wahhaab]

Sorry I should've been more clear. My husband and I are applying for jobs from the US and aren't there yet. I'm wondering if it's better for me as the wife to apply to the same institution as a married couple or apply to a different institution separately on my own. What would be the better deal for me as an employee (salary and benefits) and for my family (going together with kids).

John it sounds like from the other thread that you referred me to that it's a bad deal for me either way. If I get hired but come as a dependent of my husband then I get poor salary and no benefits. If I get hired on my own then we will both be subject to the probation period and can't bring our kids or may not be able to go together?

I guess I was thinking that there was a deal that we are both international hires with same institution and have our own work visas but because we are married we can go together with our kids. Maybe we wouldn't get double benefits but atleast I would get international hire salary?

No clue!

[johnslat]

Dear Umm 'Abdil-Wahhaab,

If you're in the States and are both being hired by the same institution, you will, of course, be given only one housing allowance/apartment /villa/ whatever's usual for that institution for the family.
But you both should get the full salary - not any sort of "local hire" reduction.

Working for the same place, if possible, would be the best/safest way to go (and I hope it'll be a good place.)

Regards,
John

[Mia Xanthi]

I agree with johnslat that it is preferable to apply to the same institution, if only because it will insure that you will have the same holidays and be able to travel at the same time.

A man and his wife, both hired outside of the Kingdom, should receive separate iqamas, as a spouse visa usually denies the holder the right to work legally. You should have totally separate contracts. However, as far as benefits are concerned, you should not expect to get two full sets of equal benefits. You will receive one housing unit, not two. You will receive one schooling allowance, not two. This is customary and legal, and absolutely non-negotiable in my experience.

Even if you work for two separate institutions, the law (as I understand it) prohibits you from receiving two sets of benefits. They will assume that you will take the man's benefit package, even if the woman's benefit package is better. In other words, if the wife's employer offers better housing, you may have a fight on your hands to get her housing benefit rather than hers.

Saudi is a small world. Don't try to beat them at their own game at this. I've seen couples sneak around and apply separately, trying to get fully separate benefit packages. The only result of this is that one of the spouses will lose the job offer or contract when the employer finds out...and the employer WILL find out sooner or later.

[Umm 'Abdil-Wahhaab]

Thanks Mia and John. For me the important thing is to avoid a salary cut (which seems if you are spouse hired internationally than that shouldnt be a problem) and that my family (including my children) can all go together. For that reason, it seems that working for the same institution, if possible, is the best way to go. I can just imagine scenarios of my visa getting lost in the mail if I were to work for another place and our travel plans getting screwed up!

[saharastars]

A lot of institutions prefer married couples, because they cause a lot less headaches, are more stable and have a vested interest not to cause 'trouble'.
You will also be regarded as a better financial deal by your institution (-housing allowance), so probably will be last on the list if they need to loose staff to make way for Saudi's.

[HFG]

Thanks for the question Umm 'Abdil-Wahhaab -

and thank you so much for the clarification John and Mia.