Job Discussion Forums

SENTINEL33 · Joined: 19 Jan 2014 Posts: 112 Location: Bahrain

Is there any USA ESL teacher currently working in KSA who has US Social Security taxes withheld from his monthly payslip? I'm mostly targeting teachers who presumably are working for US companies, such as Raytheon, Booz Allen, Aramco and so on. Thank you for your replies.

cnthaiksarok · Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 10:11 am Post subject:

Aramco isn't an American company any longer. (since 88', I think<?>. They pay in riyals into a Saudi bank account as far as I know.

Raytheon is linked up with SALTS on more than one project (I believe) and do not (I believe). Booz, no idea.

I know of at least one other American "defense" Corp. that had an F-15 contract (2 years ago) and her employees did have SS withheld and were paid into US banks.

SENTINEL33 · Joined: 19 Jan 2014 Posts: 112 Location: Bahrain

Thanks again, cnt, for your comment.

As I suspected, companies like Aramco, Raytheon etc., are no longer US “entities”. You’re not working for a US company. That’s why Aramco is now officially called Saudi Aramco.

When I briefly (2 years) worked for Aramco in Dhahran lo these many years ago, I was hired out of Houston and I was covered not only for SS but also for TX unemployment insurance and had an Aramco pension. It also included a world-wide health plan, life insurance and disability insurance. Housing was on site, everything provided, everything paid for. Meals were subsidized…..and on and on. I even had the use of a company car, I believe.

I guess those days are long gone.

Which brings me to the present. Today, whether you’re a “direct hire” or working for a contractor, you’re still working for a Saudi employer…..the US connection (at least as far as ESL employees are concerned), has long ago been severed. So I don’t see what the advantage is working for one over the other. Neither comes close to what Aramco “used” to provide.

(cnt: actually, the old Aramco still exists. I believe it’s now called Aramco Services Corp., something like that, with HQs still in Houston. Most likely a handful of Houston employees still might live and work in Dhahran in very senior executive positions and they still get the “old” Aramco benefits.)

Bottom line: direct hire or contractor……it ain’t what it used to be, that’s for sure.

PS - for those who are curious about their status: If you have SS taxes withheld from your wages, you are working for an American company. If you don't, then you're not working for an American company - regardless of where you were hired or who interviewed you or even if you were processed at a US company facility.

(If push ever came to shove, it would be exceedingly important to know your status in this regard. I'll leave you to fill in the blanks).

cnthaiksarok · Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 1:41 pm Post subject:

rollingk · Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 212

I'm paid in dollars, have SS taken out, and insurance that works worldwide. I work for a military contractor, but not one mentioned in this thread. However, that doesn't mean that every Saudi who walks into your classroom isn't the boss.

SENTINEL33 · Joined: 19 Jan 2014 Posts: 112 Location: Bahrain

rollingk: Yes, I know of one ESLer who recently was gone within 2 days after such a "visit" - and for no apparent reason. This is done, of course, to show that they're really in charge and ESLers are such easy targets and easily replaceable. (That's why I call'em "victims" rather than teachers).

Still, you're lucky to be shoring up those SS credits. That's so rare anymore in KSA. (And, in case you didn't know, you're also eligible for unemploment insurance benefits in the state where your company is HQ'd should you lose your job for one reason or another). Just something to be aware of.