Job Discussion Forums

[djstorm1987]

Hi everyone

I have just been offered a position with ELS in Salalah. The package is for 800 omani rial with paid airfare, health insurance and a furnished 2 bedroom apartment (worth 200 rials). I am currently married with no children. Wife has been offered a part time position but unsure about her salary as that will be discussed prior to arrival. Since she will not be a full time employer due to her Pakistani citzenship she will only be offered paid airfare from U.S to Salalah. Would this be an acceptable salary? For someone that`s coming from having some teaching experience in South America this seems a bit decent but just wanted to know what the average is in Oman.

Thanks in advance

[omanoman]

well, if the actual value is about 1000 ( 800 + 200) then it's not terrible, but not that good. But, it is a language center only and we don't know anything about your experience or qualifications.

The good news is that language centers teach primarily adult students so the teaching atmosphere is much much better than the grind and often frustration of the college ranks.

So, not a bad way to get into Oman, beautiful country and people.

[balqis]

I saw job adverts with this salary, 800 OR, so it is becoming a reality. It is low, noneteheless. With a B.A. you would get 900 with agencies recruiting for MoHE/MoM in Oman. Plus, you would have 55/MoM or 60/MoHE days of paid vacation yearly. And you would work 18 hrs a week or so, and have decent breaks in between semesters.
But one must be lucky to get in. Unlucky, you may have no other choice but take this 800 for the time being.
Yet, as I said, I saw an ad with 800 OR a month, so perhaps a new shabby trend is slowly starting in Oman?
I remember from my U of Nizwa experience, that there were teachers on 800 a month, while the rest were earning 1000 OR a month. They were from India and Pakistan, as they uni was unable to recruit westernerr due to their rotten reputation, and they were cheated upon arrival to Nizwa - the contract offered in their home-land was cancelled once they arrived.
This U of Nizwa was a scandal, truly a criminal place. Some of the Pakistani and Indian teachers just left in disgrace, which was a very noble act.

To the point, though. With 800 OR and cautious frugal expenditure, you can still save some 600 OR, or even more, if you know the ways to do it.
And you will be rewarded with sensuous beauties of Salalah.

balqis

[djstorm1987]

Thanks guys I will be sure to read the fine print once I get the contract. They have now sent my documents to the Ministry of Manpower for final approval which is for the work visa. The good thing out of all this is that they have offered to hand a part time job for my wife which I will be sure to negotiate prior to arriving. I have asked them about this briefly but have been told that they will look in to that once we both arrive in the country. In the end I would rather negotiate it prior to having her arrive in the country.

[djstorm1987]

[veiledsentiments]

Definitely negotiate what they will pay your wife. I assume that you have provided them with her CV. It should be an hourly amount... with no other benefits as she is coming over on your visa.

The pay is pretty much the norm for language schools. Perhaps someone could tell us what these places are paying hourly these days for part timers. It is a foot in the door, and you should still be able to save money.

VS

[MuscatGary]

If it's a two year contract check whether you will be able to keep the apartment during the summer months or if you will have to vacate and take all your stuff to wherever you go. It's common in Salalah for landlords to turf teachers out in the summer as they want to rent to tourists who go there at that time. The pay is very low but seems to be indicative of a trend in Oman to reduce salaries for teachers.

[djstorm1987]

[djstorm1987]

[veiledsentiments]

[omanoman]

Flying your wife in as well is probably just a gesture of good faith rather than an actual family visa set up, meaning that they will be able to add her to your visa after it's done, a family visa for her, but that doesn't come with labor law rights.

Standard wages for part-time is 8-10, occasionally 12 for a more difficult program or a well experienced teacher who negotiates. In Muscat, 10 rials per hour is pretty standard, Salalah will be less on average.

And it sounds like you just squeak in for the Manpower approval for the visa, the minimum requirements being 2 year validated teaching experience and the degree and TEFL / CELTA. The volunteer work won't count. Still, not too bad to get one's foot in the door and as Balqis said, Salalah is quite a charming and beautiful place.

[balqis]

Once you are in Oman, you may make your own interview arrangements with various agencies in the country, and move upwards with money, better contracts, etc...
So you may view this contract as an entry pass into Oman, or the Middle East in general.

Teaching private classes in the deep provinces of Oman verges on impossible, as the people there do not have the money to pay any decent rates, and - more importantly - a mental habit to do so doesn't exist mostly.

balqis

[Tazz]

bare in mind that the above simply does not apply here anymore-with the reinstatement of the 2 year rule it is simply impossible to move from one job to another in Oman......

[balqis]

True, but you may complete your contract and then get a NOC from your Master, and then move on legally.
From the NOC point of view, it is better to opt for a short, one-year contract only.
And perhaps, before you sign the contract, make sure that your Master will issue a NOC to your name once the contract is over.
If I am wrong again, then Tazz do correct me.

All in all - tough clench and dire straits, which leaves you ''bare in mind'' indeed.

balqis

ps I mean I was able to move from one job to another, coz my Master was kind to issue a NOC to my name, which made me eligible for new employment.

[Tazz]

Just goes to show-some masters are better than others! Wouldn't work for MOM or MOHE employers though......