Job Discussion Forums

optimistic · Joined: 04 Aug 2010 Posts: 43

I`m sure I`ve read posts on this forum saying that an average salary starts from 1100 to 1500 OR for a direct hire. So, what you got is within that range.

lizziebennet · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 355

That is not within the range at all...

Within Range for an MA OMR1100 plus a housing and furniture allowance of about OMR200 to OMR250.

Some places pay even more!

camelman · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Posts: 38 Location: Oman

It might be within UoB's range but not mine!

camelman · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Posts: 38 Location: Oman

It might be within UoB's range but not mine!

FarGone · Joined: 02 Nov 2011 Posts: 97

lizziebennett:

What do you know of the six ELS teachers at "University" of Buraimi who are not coming back, and who worked through the summer session but are, from what one has told me, being stiffed of their end-of-contract "gratuity" (end-of-contract bonus) and are having difficulties with ELS as regards their flights out (ELS has not issued the e-tickets back to point-of-origin)?

As to the final tally of non-returning ELS teachers, it is precisely nine persons--as I called it.

madrileno · Joined: 19 Aug 2010 Posts: 270 Location: Salalah, Oman

I can say that of all the teachers who started this year (2011/12) with ELS at UoB, zero are staying the second year to finish their contract.

They've all quit, are going to other employment opportunities, or were sacked. The only ones staying are those who've finished their two year contracts or are about to, and coming back for another year.

FarGone · Joined: 02 Nov 2011 Posts: 97

Fun.

So much for the "ELS is a great employer, or else I wouldn't be working for them"-line.

Thanks for the inside knowledge, madrileno.

FarGone · Joined: 02 Nov 2011 Posts: 97

Of the remaining nine (9) ELS/UoB teachers, seven (7) are fellow South Africans (five of India origin), and all of them are tightly connected to the ESL/GFP Director--one of whom is his wife. (Brother was transfered by ELS to Sharqiya University.)

That's an interesting statistic. Wink

lizziebennet · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 355

Fargone, your previous post made me laugh as whoever is passing on information to you obviously doesn't really know what they are talking about. I will prove this statement when I return. Unlike you I am here and don't have to rely on hearsay from misinformed sources!

As far as the 9 teachers that are not returning go. I believe a number of them were not renewed which makes your argument flawed. You are making out like 9 teachers chose to leave which is not the case. And yes. all the teachers leaving are new. I guess if ELS chose to renew the older teachers for a second year it would stand to reason that they would renew them for a third too which is the case now and can explain why there are more older teachers returning than newer ones.

If you are getting your info from Madrileno you should be aware that he is not well informed either. There are four new teachers that I know of returning. One is American and the other is British and two of the South Africans that you mentioned are new too.

FarGone · Joined: 02 Nov 2011 Posts: 97

I didn't know that the British teacher was (or was not) returning; the question was still in the air when we last chatted. The American has been unhappy since returning; I thought he called it a day.

The rest of my post is validated.

lizziebennet · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 355

I don't think you even know which American I am talking about...

As there is more than one American staying next year... In fact three Americans as one teacher has duel citizenship but was hired under his American passport.

The point I am trying to make is that you are not here and you keep on posting as if you are here and know exactly what is going on but you don't! I don't even know exactly what is going on and I am here. The situation changes all the time...

That's why I said I will wait to see with my own eyes when the time comes...

FarGone · Joined: 02 Nov 2011 Posts: 97

My point has been made: A 50% non-returning rate of ELS teacher at UoB, and of the remaining about 75% are a South African clique (and of the South Africans, 75% are Indian and friends with or relatives of the [for now-] ELS/GFP Director, a South African of Indian descent.

Weird.

And you have made your point, too: That I have not accounted for each/every remaining teacher, as the level of willingness to return was iffy on the part of several with whom I have conversed recently.

Just glad I was able to slip the noose. Razz

Expat101 · Joined: 09 May 2012 Posts: 108

FarGone · Joined: 02 Nov 2011 Posts: 97

ELS lost its contract with al-Sharqiya University, yes. So, technically, ELS is no longer working with ASU. I think the transfer of the South African/Indian brother of the ELS GFP of "University" of Buraimi had to do with a perceived conflict of interest (in that wife is already a teacher; their son also substitutes at UoB).

La Reve · Joined: 30 Jun 2012 Posts: 75 Location: Ici

Yes, U of B exists, and ELS continues to NOT pay their employees.

I"m still in legal procedures for my June pay and ticket, as well as July and August pay and end of service gratuity for unfair dismissal. The Labor Board tried to help but they don't have the authority to compel ELS, so I had to hire a lawyer. Despite Omani law saying labor disputes should be concluded within at least two months, my next court date is Oct. 2nd.

ELS's lawyer is out-maneuvering my newbie lawyer with continuances. They tried to starve me out, but I had savings. Now, in another country, most of my savings have been depleted but the $7,000 or so owed me are very important because I only have a few more years of work before retiring.

I still do not understand how Lizziebennet posts good things about the U of B when the last time I saw her, she said she didn't like being there and would leave, but educational debts and wanting to start a Master's program kept her there. In RL, she is as unhappy as most of the other teachers at U of B, and as most of the new teachers will become.

I even had a 'person in a high place' tell me that his friend with ELS 'promised' him that all ELS teachers would be paid. Nope. Cleverly, ELS said gratuity is given only after the teacher completes the full 365 days - Sept. 20-Sept. 20. Government colleges end around July 15 and give their teachers their June/July pay, their summer pay, their bonus/gratuity pay and plane ticket home ( or 75% in cash worth of the plane ticket).

This way, teachers wanting to leave for new jobs or for home, are stuck in Buraimi... or they leave and ELS pockets all that money.

Promises are made to be broken seems to be a reality with ELS.