Job Discussion Forums

gxcaplio · Joined: 28 Jan 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Riyadh, KSA

I have searched the forum for something similar as above but could not find any relevant information.

I would like to know from posters (especially the Gulf/Mid-East ones) if they have ever been promised something (well, money matters) on a verbal agreement and whether such promise was fulfilled?

The reason I ask is with the university I am with now, I have been asked to help with the research activities (of ALL departments, not just English). It is a field very close to my heart but I am worried that I may end up with more than a plateful.

The university has indicated that it will look at my current conditions (re: extra allowance(s) for research work) but I have a gut feeling that they will revert back to the old "other duties as assigned" loophole.

Any suggestions?

.

Kaspar Hauser · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 83

Verbal agreements? In Saudi Arabia? Even paper agreements in KSA don't hold water, so verbal agreements? No way!

Many, many years ago, when I was young and stupid (I'm old and stupid now), I was told my salary would be $30,000 a year once I got to KSA and signed the contract. It was my first job in the Middle East, 30K was far more than I had ever made before, and I was thrilled. I was incredibly naive and I actually thought that people in such a religious country would be honorable. When I got to KSA it turned out there had been a "misunderstanding" and my salary would be $21,000 per year. They did offer to fly me home if it was unacceptable. Fly me home to what? I had quit my job, given up my apartment, sold my car and put my stuff in storage. I had no choice but to stay. For the next year and a half, until I went on vacation and never returned, they cheated me in other ways as well. I learned a lesson about "honor" in Saudi Arabia.

Don't accept a verbal agreement from anyone, especially a government ministry or Saudi company.

Atassi · Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Posts: 128 Location: 평택

I agree that written agreements are safer.

If you run into difficulty or excuses when you try to get things on paper, just refer to Islam. In Islam, it is strongly recommended not to do business without having written agreements. It's good advice from Prophet Muhammad.

Good luck.

Bebsi · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958

Don't you know, verbal agreements (better known as Oral Agreements, as a VERBAL agreement is, strictly speaking, ANY agreement in words...this can include a written OR oral agreement) are not worth the paper they are written on!!!!

also in saudi · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 137

Even the Saudi labor laws are disregarded when it suits the employer.

My employer hasn't provided medical coverage for over a year, even though it is part of my contract and the Saudi labor law.

My employer doesn't pay salary according to the contract. They are often 3-5 weeks late. Their client, a government agency, paid us directly last time (and late).

No one can be trusted.

cam · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 124 Location: Maine, USA

also in saudi

If your employer refuses to provide health insurance and the salary according to the contract why are you staying there? Perhaps it is time to find a better job. As long as people accept these types of conditions the working conditions will not improve for future teachers. When employers do not respect the contract then employees like you need to have the courage to quit.