Job Discussion Forums

bulgogiboy · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 803

I've just applied to work at Aramco under Haka.

I've been told by the recruiter that employees get a bare minimum of US$5000 per month (up to US$8000 max) , but this includes accommodation allowance.

Is this a good deal? Will modest, comfortable, single accommodation take up a large chunk of this?

Would I get assistance in finding accommodation? Would I be allocated to a compound and then have the fees taken out of my salary? Would I be living on a compound?

Can anyone working at Aramco with Haka, or with experience of this kind of situation, help me out?

Cheers.

svatopluk · Joined: 16 Sep 2009 Posts: 81

I used to work with HAK at Aramco. Conditions depend on where you are.

Al-Hasa was just an apartment block on Arab Street with a security guard who was about 97 years old, almost blind, and sat around on a mat saying hello to anyone who came in while staring at a sack of rice.

Abqaiq was a very nice apartment/hotel also with zero security (don't expect a contractor to have any interest in your safety btw).

Those in Dhahran were on the excellent Eurovillage compound. Not sure about Ras Tanura or Jeddah.

The salary is very good though and HAK always regarded as the best of the contracting bunch, but check your payslip, or rather insist on having one, as they'll try and skim off anything they can get.

bulgogiboy · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 803

Cheers!

Do they pay for your airfares separately? Or is that included in your allowances?

svatopluk · Joined: 16 Sep 2009 Posts: 81

You should definitely get airfare paid plus at least one a year back home.

Also, unless they've changed the deal, you shouldn't be paying for accommodation as HAK used to provide it.

They'll sort out exit/re-entry visas too and provide a vehicle, shared between a few of you. I was lucky as the other guys were too afraid to drive so I got sole use. But, man, were there arguments between other people about 'who gets the car this weekend!'

redsnapper · Joined: 01 Jul 2010 Posts: 60

Housing Allowance?

Hell no! You should demand and expect accommodation at Saudi Aramco Residential Camp in Dhahran
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Aramco_Residential_Camp_in_Dhahran

If you don't get it written in the contract as part of your compensation then you are getting the shaft.

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

If I recall correctly, none of the recruiter hires for Aramco get to live on this compound.

Or perhaps some of them do... ??

VS

richardsongeoff · Joined: 24 Aug 2010 Posts: 7

Rent varies. A compound starts at 5,000 riyals per month - many are not very good. Noisy, etc.
You can get a Hotel Suite - usually about 3,200 riyals per month - basically this is a one-bedroom apartment in a hotel. Advantage equals no deposit!!!
or, you can get an unfurnished apartment from about 2,700 riyals per month but then furniture (including air-conditioners) will cost another 20,000, so this is only worth considering if you are SURE you are going to be happy, intend to stay several years and you have passed your probation period!
(divide riyals by 3.75 for U.S. $)
5,000 would be a very low starting salary if it included everything.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Only REAL ARAMCONS, ie direct hires, get to live in Aramcoland.

bulgogiboy · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 803

[quote="richardsongeoff"]
You can get a Hotel Suite - usually about 3,200 riyals per month - basically this is a one-bedroom apartment in a hotel. [quote]

What kind of quality can you expect for that kind of money? Would the cockroaches hog the bedsheets? Would it be the equivalent of a western sleazy motel?

Paul in Saudi · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 404 Location: Doha, Qatar

I am on that contract. I live on the Tammimi Compound, which is fairly minimal, but I am paying only US$1040 for room and board. That is pretty nice.

Yes, it is a good deal. Your base salary is multiplied by (I think) 65% for housing and transport. Once you get here you are largely on your own.

Take it, it is a nice deal.

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

Hey Paul... long time no see! Welcome back to the Cafe! Cool

VS

Paul in Saudi · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 404 Location: Doha, Qatar

Why thank you, you know how Ramadan is, it puts you off your schedule.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 2:38 am Post subject:

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

He Lives ! Welcome back to the Magical Kingdom, oh wascally wabit ! !

Paul in Saudi · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 404 Location: Doha, Qatar

Ah! Youse guys! Thank you so much for your kindnesses.

Now why hasn't the OP sent me an e-mail?