Job Discussion Forums

nomel · Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 9:34 am Post subject: Blacklist

I recently tried to enter Oman through Mezyad, near Al Ain, the United Arab Emirates. I was stopped at the Omani checkpoint and was told that I was Blacklisted. They kept me there for four hours and then told me to go back to the UAE. The reason why they let me go is they couldn't find out 'why' I was blacklisted being the weekend. I work in the UAE and used to work in Oman about 2 years ago. Since then I have been in Oman on a regular basis to visit friends and apparently this 'Blacklist' appeared only 5 days ago. I was told to go back to Oman this week to see 'why'. Has anyone had a similiar experience?? What can someone be blacklisted for in Oman??

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Was there any kind of problem with your previous employer? Did you complete your contract and check out in the usual manner? Can you think of any situation where you may have offended some high-up official during a visit? ... in one of the clubs... or on the roads?

I know that the Gulf embassies in the US have names of people who are not allowed to be employed because of various reasons related to their previous jobs or activities in their home countries that they find unacceptable. (arrests and even watch out what you write for a small town paper... they have reading services...)

Your ex-employer would be the place to start... if you left on a positive note and they have a good Omani 'fixer,' he would be the one who could probably find out.

VS

Sleepwalker · Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 454 Location: Reading the screen

Just a thought - maybe there's someone with the same name who's blacklisted - I hope you get it sorted out.

nomel · Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 5:29 am Post subject:

I did as you suggested and phoned my employer. My place of work was Nizwa university, but ELS hired us all. They admitted to Blacklisting me because they didn't cancel my Visa when I left. I phoned other teachers who worked there the same time as me. Some they cancelled and others they didn't. So, it seems that it didn't matter with them whether you finished your contract, got fired or resigned. It was whoever was supposed to take care of the process of Visa cancellation. Now, they have caused me a huge problem. The Omani Police still want me back in Oman. I have phoned ELS and the police to see what will happen to me and no one can give me an answer. Unitl I find out, there is no way I will ever go back to Oman! Thanks for your help.

omanized · Joined: 04 Jun 2006 Posts: 152

I have also experienced this since the new rule about not needing a letter of release - my mistake was leaving in a bit of a rush - family biz back home - and then not thinking about handing in my labor card - it is the card which ties you to the company and leaves them responsible - I was in a bind which apparantly was only because I had kept the card which is a big no - no .

Anyway, my ex-employer was annoyed but we worked it out.....bottom line is you must give your the residence card back so they can process the cancellation - as far as the 'blacklist' goes - that is just as much the initiative of the ROP as it is the employer - they don't want people running around or in and out the country with basically a fraudulent document !

omzd

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

If you learn the answer to this dilemma, do come back and tell us. I would think that this would only mean you could not be employed with a new company since according to the visa office, you are still tied to the previous employer.

It doesn't make sense that it makes you a 'criminal' who could be arrested if you return. What would your crime be? I used to have a good contact in the ROP but unfortunately he recently had to retire due to a terminal illness.

Herein lies the real problem of being hired through agents and management companies and such.

VS

Duffy · Joined: 29 Oct 2005 Posts: 449 Location: Oman

I have been reading these posts with great interest.

Duffy Question

edited by Duffy Rolling Eyes

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I'm not sure how people could challenge this as most of us don't have a new name to get a passport in. That was a neat trick, but few of us would be able to do that.

The issue of the slavery of 'third world' workers all around the Gulf has been well known and generally ignored forever. How would we EFL teachers go about changing this Duffy?

Do you have some ideas?

VS

omanized · Joined: 04 Jun 2006 Posts: 152

Sadly, it comes down to simple economics and market forces - the domestic laborer is being paid a decent wage relative to her earning power at home - hopefully, she is treated well and is given proper respect as a fellow human being - and there are thousands of women who would replace her if she was not satisfied.

The same goes for the laborers who built and continue to build these countries from the sand up - huge supply of willing men to fill jobs.

I work with a man who has been with the company for 8 years making 130 OR a month - not bad considering - a pittance to us of course - however, he has built a two story 5 bedroom house back home in a lovely wooded area the likes of which I will never afford anywhere in my country or most places I would choose to live - so my feeling towards the 'slavery' issue are mixed. He is doing just fine...........

omzd

nomel · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 3:38 pm Post subject:

Yes, what is a person to do! When I phoned ELS, I was told that they noticed I was coming into Oman on a regular basis. I was also told that they needed to cancel my visa so they could hire another teacher and not have to pay for a new visa. Also, that it is a matter for the Police now. Sounds like they went through a process to get me 'Blacklisted'. If they knew so much why wasn't I asked just to bring in my labour card next time I visited Oman and why are the Police involved. ELS said 'It is now a Police matter". I will contact my embassy and hopefully they can give me some answers. I have a teenage daughter and I don't want to have to leave her alone while they deal with me. Thanks.

omanized · Joined: 04 Jun 2006 Posts: 152

So you kept your labor card, left the job and continued to enter and leave the country under what was essentially a false document?? I would say that is indeed a matter for the police !

Can you imagine doing such a thing in your home country?

nomel · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 6:54 am Post subject:

When I left and some other teachers, we were never asked to hand in anything. If they wanted it.............why didn't they ask for it. That was my first time in the Middle East. When I go to Oman, I don't use my Omani Labour card. I have left the UAE to travel to other contries since leaving Oman many times. I have never been asked for anything and I have to pay to get into Oman from the UAE for a visitors visa.

stoth1972 · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 7:29 am Post subject:

Yikes, nomel. A friend of mine was working at Nizwa U through ELS (and is now working directly for the uni).

omanized · Joined: 04 Jun 2006 Posts: 152

Ah, yes, the border crossings - every time a new experience ! I have had them forget to stamp my passport and then wonder how I arrived in the UAE without it ? only to dial back the date on the manual stamp and put one in there to satisfy the procedure.

Welcome to the ME nomel - best advice is to ask and find out every possible detail and procedure and don't take anything for granted !

omzd

stoth1972 · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 3:12 pm Post subject:

We didn't get the stamp leaving the UAE and drove 7 km to the OMani border before she looked at our passports and sent up back. They also stamped me as entering Oman when they meant to stamp me as exiting.

Someone on the Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree Forum said the visa cost depended where you entered/exited. We went in through Hatta, and I was prepared to pay 4-5 riyals, but he looked at my money and said, "This one is free."