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| What percentage of your colleagues are 60+ years of age. |
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20% |
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0% |
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20% |
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| 40 |
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60% |
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| Total Votes : 5 |
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jmsauer
Joined: 30 Apr 2004
Posts: 31
Location: Riyadh, Magic Kingdom
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 Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 8:33 pm Post subject: New Expat Age Restriction |
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| Starting next year employers will be prohibited from renewing the contracts of xpats aged 60+. This law was passed as part of the effort to Saudify the workforce. Please take the poll and answer what percentage of your fellow English teachers are 60+. |
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Stephen Jones
Joined: 21 Feb 2003
Posts: 4124
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| Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2005 7:20 am Post subject: |
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| Where did you hear this? Does it apply to the private sector, the government sector or both? The previous system in the government sector was that you had to apply for a one year extension when you reached the age of sixty, which might or might not be given. More details would be appreciated. |
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jmsauer
Joined: 30 Apr 2004
Posts: 31
Location: Riyadh, Magic Kingdom
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| Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2005 6:39 pm Post subject: |
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It was the front page headline article on yesterday's English daily paper in Riyadh. I think it said that the Ministry of Labor would no longer approve work visas for persons aged 60 beginning with the start of next year (Hijri). But I tossed the paper.
It's interesting that the Saudi government wants to 'Saudify' the English teacher positions. I'm imagining English language textbooks that teach phrases like, "I am not understand." and "Classes began before two days." |
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Stephen Jones
Joined: 21 Feb 2003
Posts: 4124
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| Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2005 9:14 pm Post subject: |
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You've never been able to get a work visa to start working in government if your contract will expire after you are sixty. Those already in have been granted extensions however. I don't think government renewals go through the Ministry of Labour, though the initial block visa demand does. However the block visas are not tied to individuals.
There are plenty of Saudi English teachers. Some are very good. However I suspect we will be among the last professions to be totally Saudiized.
For mindless Saudiization, I would mention the fact that the military technical writer positions got Saudiized. The result is that Saudis are writing instructional material in English, for Saudi recruits. Even if the Saudi replacements were fully qualified technical translators, which they are not, it is quite against best practice to have people writing instructional material in a language that is not their native language. Of course, when the instructors don't understand the material, they can always get their trainees to explain it to them! |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 4:27 am Post subject: |
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There was an article on the front page of the Arab News. It did not if I remember rightly say that this would happen but that it might happen.
Our place relies heavily on wrinklies as teachers. One colleague is seventy plus. Many are over sixty. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 6:02 am Post subject: |
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| It was in Arab News for Monday 21 November. I have figured out how to read TODAY'S online Arab News (www.arabnews.com) but time travel is beyond me. |
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Stephen Jones
Joined: 21 Feb 2003
Posts: 4124
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 12:45 am Post subject: |
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| So what is the verdict ? Will they or won't they keep us on over 60 ? |
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Stephen Jones
Joined: 21 Feb 2003
Posts: 4124
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| Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 1:40 pm Post subject: |
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If you see removal men outside your house tomorrow then you know the answer is no!
Remember Scot that they use the Hijjri calendar here so you are already 60.
I don't think government renewals go through the Labour Office.
And what are you doing expecting clear answers anyway? Alzheimers already set in? |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 5:49 am Post subject: |
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Arab News and Saudi Gazette on 5 December both ran stories saying that thjis restriction would not apply to 'professionals'.
Watch this space. Things can change quickly in the Magic Kingdom ! |
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Mark100
Joined: 05 Feb 2003
Posts: 441
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| Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 8:07 am Post subject: |
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As with most Saudi laws there are ways and means to circumvent them.
Hiring contractors is the very easy way around this law. It is in fact already being done.
Aramcons have to retire at 60 but many come back as contractors so no big deal really.
I thiink that they were enforcing this rule at KFUPM as well in which case you could come back via Al Falak. |
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Stephen Jones
Joined: 21 Feb 2003
Posts: 4124
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| Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 2:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
Arab News and Saudi Gazette on 5 December both ran stories saying that thjis restriction would not apply to 'professionals'.
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And I read in the Arab News that it would apply to all occupations without restriction. Problem is I can't remember if I read it on the 4th December or 6th December :) |
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Stephen Jones
Joined: 21 Feb 2003
Posts: 4124
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| Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 2:46 pm Post subject: |
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| I thiink that they were enforcing this rule at KFUPM as well in which case you could come back via Al Falak. |
Government restrictions don't allow new hires who will reach sixty before the contract expires, but those already there can apply for extensions. It is not uncommon for these to be granted up to the age of 63 or 64.
The problem with coming back as a contractor, apart from the fact that you will lose salary as you were almost certainly at the top of the scale, is that you will not have health care, which in the case of KFUPM or JIC is a big perk. |
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ootii
Joined: 27 Oct 2005
Posts: 124
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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| Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2006 3:43 am Post subject: |
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| Mark100 wrote: |
| As with most Saudi laws there are ways and means to circumvent them. |
Indeed. The best way to deal with this is just to "go native" and ignore them.
Much of this is due to the attention seeking behavior of Ghazi al-Qosaibi. Dislodged from his perch in London he was sent to Water now to Labor where Sawwada is his new crusade.
Of course, no one could criticize people for giving nationals priority for jobs, all countries do it. The odd thing here is the reluctance of the locals to get involved. Many appear to share the work ethic of Thurston Howl III. |
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