Job Discussion Forums

[Sea Sea Rider]

While waiting for my Direct hire visa for a Community College, a direct hire visa now meandering its way through a complex ministrial system, I've just been informed that for the time being, i.e. one or two months, I will be brought in as a "consultant" for a third party contractor. This third party contractor seems to have a reputation established on this discussion forum for being Authoritian Fascists.

The college I'm to work for is a satellite campus of a better Know First-rate Univesity Praised for Moderation.

I do not get a peaceful easy feeling about this. One benny being "temporarily" assigned to the AFs is that the pay is substantially higher; however, the holiday time is not the same.

Suppose a fat holiday such as the 3-week break for Eid Al Fitr rolls around. Direct hires for the college have three weeks off. As I understand it, again an understanding base entirely on postings here, this third party won't allow its employees the same bennies.

Would it be imprudent for me (if the occasion presented itself) to thump my direct hire contract at the AF poobahs (to whom I am temporarily employed)? would it do any good? would I quickly find myself back on Exhibition Road (aka Desolation Row)

Soon, the AF will be in touch. I suppose a process of negotiation would be wise. Does anyone (like Mr. Scot) have any other advice? Has anyone else come in temporarily to work for AF and bore witness to the miracle of witching to direct hire?

SSR

[Stephen Jones]

I presume the problem is that DCC doesn't have the correct visa to hand, so they are bringing you in on an Al-Falak business visa whilst they procure it.

Thing you need to get clear is how they are going to transfer you. At JIC Al-Falak hires process the direct hire visa through Bahrain, but I don't know if DCC has this facility.

Contact Ghadeer or Mohammad at Al-Falak, and ask them what the process will be to transfer the visa; you don't want to end up having to go back to the States or wherever for a month unpaid at your expense to transfer.

If you can get a satisfactory answer to the last question, then accept it. The alternative will be waiting without a job for DCC to fix the visa.

[sledgehammer]

Hi there CCR,

Look, I was basically in the same boat as you until today. I was a "consultant" with Al Falak while DCC made an offer and applied for a working visa for me. Well, there were things I wasn't told such as my certificates having to be attested in my home country which meant of course, having to return to get them stamped. It goes without saying I had to pay for all of this myself which works out to roughly 50% of your first month's salary.
Worse than this, is the uncertainty surrounding the whole f&%#ing process because in this logic free zone (LFZ), things can spin on a dime, and usually do!

There were times recently when I thought to myself that I would throw in the towel and go home. It has been tremendously stressful to get the medical, educational certificates and the visa application to come together like some well cordinated plan, but somehow it did!

If I had known all of this in advance, would I have still gone through with it? No f$#4ing way. The people at DCC are as useful as having both your hands tied behind your back to fight Mike Tyson! Remember this is the country of the "inshallahs", which these people use as a kop out for anything that they are too lazy to do themselves or have cocked up. So, if they tell you that your visa is in the pipeline inshallah, they really mean, I don't know where it is or the person I delegated the job to has screwed things up.

As for Al Falak, they have been pretty good since I came here in February. They have connections at the embassy and as a result are able to extend someone's visa indefinetly. Mine was stamped 7 times before I had to go back home last week and if I hadn't had to sign the DCC contract then I would have left things as they were because the money is much better with Al Falak.

Anyway, there are worse options than working for DCC via the Al Falak route. It could for instance be that awful place in Jubail that is as lively as a one-legged anorexic belly dancer .

Sledgehammer

[Sea Sea Rider]

Thanks for both replies.

But the question remains about holidays. The DCC contract allows for three weeks in November, two weeks at mid term, a week in April and 60 days in the summer. Will AF allow the same? |Or will they allow me to abide by my DCC contract? Any advice from someone who has some idea or experience would be much appreciated.

[Stephen Jones]

For holidays ask Al-Falak. I suspect they are unpaid, which is why Al-Falak pays a lot more than direct hire.

I can't see why sledgehammer needed to go back to his country to attest the degrees. It can be done by post. On the other hand you do have to go back to do the medical if they are processing your visa through the home country.

If you have a temporary job in your home country it might be worth your while to check out whether it is in your financial interests to await the direct hire visa from DCC, rather than go with Al-Falak and then have to return at your own expense unpaid for three or four weeks to process it later.

Get further details from Al-Falak, and then make a decision based on your specific circumstances.

And yes, Jubail is boring! But it hardly justifies the description of "that awful place."

[Gnome]

There was much discussion about working for Al Falak or doing a direct hire with DCC on this site previously. Do a search! There seems to be a problem with opening a bank account, getting multiple exit visas to visit Bahrain, and several other problems that will arise when you are on the "business visa." Personally, I would wait it out and go for a direct hire with DCC. Don't get swayed by the money. It seems you have to pay quite a lot of it over to various beauracrats, car rentals and your apartment. You will also not be allowed to take advantage of the DCC facilities. I believe that includes the cafeteria, gym and pool. But perhaps someone else can elaborate.

[Mark100]

It all depends how desperate you are?

If i was desperate i would take it .....you can stay at the Gulf Compound in Al Khobar...you can get a room for about 1400 rats a month....probably better you don't get a multi visa as you will save more anyway if you are desperate......there is a bar on the compound so you can drown your sorrows there...

waiting for another job offer in Saudi may take a long time as ramadam is fast approaching and it could be another few months before you get anything...

On a side note a mate just came back from Beijing and he says he can make more money there and have a much better time...

[Sea Sea Rider]

Actually, my country of residence was Bahrain. The residency expired and I'm in and out, doing a bit of wandering and returning on a visit visa.

I've read the other posts, but they were by people who were signed onto an Al Falak contract. I've signed a contract with DCC and expect to work under that contract. If Al Falak says I must sign one of their contracts, the bidding will begin.

All good answers and in turn, they'll become questions when the auction starts.