Job Discussion Forums

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Not my experience. I had two good employers : KFUPM (HBCC) and Saudi Arabian Airtines. One reasonable employer : Ministry of Education. And one average : Adnan Kazelly who had the contract to provide teachers to Samarec/Petromin.

johnslat · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2013 3:09 pm Post subject:

Not true in my case, either - but I worked for only one employer in Saudi: the IPA (Institute of Public Administration).

I never had a single problem with them in 19 years (which is one big reason I stayed so long) and managed to save a nice nest egg, which is making my "golden years" financially secure (insofar as there is any security in this world).

But it does seem that conditions in Saudi have gotten worse (maybe considerably worse in some/many cases) since I left). I was a direct hire but nowadays it seems to be mostly through recruiters and contractors.

Regards,
John

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

Beast · Joined: 13 Nov 2005 Posts: 120

If a company says in the contract, "Company will pay for passport photos," well, yes, they should pay for them. Is it worth leaving for? Not really. However, it does give you an indication of their mindset and will prepare you for things to come along. Somehow... somewhere.. You're going to get nailed. Accept it, take the money and try to minimize the damage. I have not heard of this happening with Interlink so that connection should not be made.

There is a contract in Saudi where the guys make USD 7000+ a month(not Interlink), live on a great compound, have shared cars to drive and they still complain. English teachers complain and whine. Maybe not on the outside but they probably do on the inside. It's part of the game. They want 3 and you give them 3. They complain because you didn't give them 4. Which is OK. The noisy wheel gets the grease. But, sometimes they get shown the door. Those individuals without excellent coping skills are not suited for the Middle East.

johnslat · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 3:08 pm Post subject:

Dear Beast,

"If a company says in the contract, "Company will pay for passport photos," well, yes, they should pay for them."

Are there actually contracts that mention such relatively trivial matters? That seems odd indeed.

Regards,
John

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

I'm with you John... that is definitely a first. Never heard of such a thing.

I can't imagine any mention of passport photos other than in original hire letters where they may mention that you'd better bring a good supply. And, paying for them yourself is too obvious to mention. To me that would be like expecting them to pay for your passport. Laughing

VS

gelynch52ph · Joined: 15 Feb 2011 Posts: 132

gelynch52ph · Joined: 15 Feb 2011 Posts: 132

Matchstick · Joined: 23 May 2013 Posts: 2

Stay away from INTERLINK / EGA - they are modern day slave drivers

Beast · Joined: 13 Nov 2005 Posts: 120

What exactly did they do to/for you?

Matchstick · Joined: 23 May 2013 Posts: 2

They are a group of people who maximize their profit at the expense of the employee. It does not matter if they have agreed to something by contract or word, they will break it anytime they want in order to maximize their profits.

Why, what have they done for you?

When have they gone the extra mile for an employee?

muglyduckling · Joined: 19 Feb 2011 Posts: 5 Location: United Arab Emirates

Any company that refuses to give letters of no objection so that you can work for another company when you complete your contract is a bad company. I worked for Interlink/TVTC/EGA and i learned my lesson. I was offered an excellent job with one of the top companies in Saudi Arabia, but they told me they couldn't proceed because Interlink/TVTC/EGA would not give me a letter of no objection. Apparently there policy is not to give letters of no objection because they have a hard time keeping teachers.

Ask how many people left Interlink feeling like they were paid what they were supposed to get in the end. Our contracts say that they have to provide us with a flight ticket home, or a roundtrip if we are coming back. They gave me about half of what a flight ticket home costs and told me to buy my ticket with that little money. When I complained and proved to my supervisor that this was not sufficient, he explained to me that they did this to him and a lot of other teachers as well. Nothing was ever done about it.

If you want to have a good experience Saudi or other Gulf countries, make sure you sign with a well respected company. Working for TVTC and being treated like

Skeletor · Joined: 14 Jul 2013 Posts: 20

They fired my friend without warning or notice.

They had me sign a contract renewal form ( a pseudo contract) and then changed their minds. Apparently verbal agreements, written agreements and the labour law are meaningless.

They made mistakes in regards sick days, visas, and iqamas. Then docked teachers pay because of these mistakes.

They are not a good company to work for.

Tony_Stark · Joined: 03 Aug 2013 Posts: 1

Terrible companies - they still owe me money for my air tickets and pay.

Expat101 · Joined: 09 May 2012 Posts: 108

They are an agent and agents are like weasels. They will weasel their way out of paying. It's in their nature to do so. All they know is how to cheat and deny any and all wrongdoing on their part.