Job Discussion Forums

[geoboz]

The lureof money in KSAis what draws most applicants,but I can tell you from first-hand account that working and living there is utterly stifling. Sharia law pervades every aspect of the country, and, as a westerner, itcan be suffocating. coupling these living conditions with the added stress of doing so illegally should be enough to cause any sane person to step back and rethink any dodgy proposal.
My brief encounter with the recruiter for EdEX showed him to be quite agressive and inconsiderate,calling me out of the blue without any notice whatsoever, and required information without any preparation on my part. His lack of professionalism seems to echo his client's, based on what others have said in this string.

[Middle East Beast]

Check out the posted salary ranges for many KSA ads this year.

The lure of money is waning...

MEB

[fledex]

Don't work with Ed Ex unless they pay you at least 20,000 SAR a month after accommodation and transportation. You could get sent anywhere, work anywhere up to 48 hrs. a week, probably won't get vacation pay, and most likely won't get a ticket home unless you sign another year contract with them. Uncorroborated word is that they are making about 30,000 SAR per teacher per month on their university contracts.

[Pigeon2]

I'm interested in the point that if you have a work visit visa, you don't need an exit visa to leave the country. So, if you want to leave, you just book a flight and go? You won't be stopped at the airport?

[johnslat]

Dear Pigeon2,

There's no such thing as a "work visit visa" - if you're on a "work visa," you're there working legally, you have an iqama, and yes - you need an exit visa to leave the country.

If you're on any other kind of visa - business visa - you are working there illegally and no - you don't need an exit visa to leave the country. However, if you're leaving on your own (doing a runner,) you'll be paying for your own ticket, of course. You won't get stopped at the airport (unless your illegal employer discovers that you're doing a runner, wants to stop you, and has enough wasta to do so, even though you're not legally employed by him.)

In Saudi, wasta rules - the chances of that last scenario's ever happening are mighty slim - but not impossible.

Regards,
John

[turkzonline]

Okay so this is what I mean. This person was going to go, and due to people's advice has decided not to, but NOT 1 PERSON will tell you where to work, or who is good.
So if everybody is so helpful, why arent they helping the person find a good placement?

[Middle East Beast]

I know a couple of "good" ones, but they're not hiring.

"Good" is especially relative in the context of KSA, though.

MEB

[mikeinitaly]

[fledex]

If you have a visit visa, you won't need an exit visa or letter to leave. Hold onto your passport. Yeah, they won't tell you where you are going until 24 hrs. or so before they send you there. They don't like to let the schools know when they are shifting people. So they keep it hidden from everyone, including the people shifting. Plan on paying your own way home and not getting your vacation pay unless you are going to sign up with them for another year. If you have something else, take it.

[Middle East Beast]

"Education Experts" sound like an oxymoron.

MEB

[lmorin]

I worked for them and left them. I would say avoid them at all costs. As a Canadian I was not allowed to leave on the business visa. I have a friend who is currently suing them, others who want to and might be doing so myself soon for money owed and never paid.

[readytotravel]

Rumor has it that Aramco has contracted with them to provide English teachers.

[jaffa]

They've got some serious wasta. Anyone else would be in jail.

[scot47]

Working with one of those ARAMCO contractors is NOT the "dream job". If you want to go to KSA, do a search here and find the good employers. The infomation is here. Just look for it and remember judgements are subjective. What I feel is a good job might be purgatory for you.

[AnneSansTete]