Job Discussion Forums

[Eric Carlson]

Here is the outline of what to look for in a good job in the Middle East � and what a good employer will provide for you.

In the beginning look for a company that demands a police clearance certificate and attestation of your educational certificates. I know it�s a nuisance doing all the paperwork, and you�re not a criminal, but what if the guy you have to share a flat with turns out to have a history of violence? The police in Gulf countries will not intervene in a dispute between Westerners. A bad company will not help you. You flat-mate or neighbour could physically attack you, or worse, and there would be nobody willing to help you, or even listen to your story.

What if your �professional colleagues� have mostly dodgy certificates from the University of Life? If your employer doesn�t check, this will be the case. That means if you know what you�re doing, then you will be doing the lion�s share of the work, as your colleagues will not be competent. You may also find that your managers are not only unqualified as teachers, but additionally are untrained in management.

You should receive an open return ticket to your destination in your own name. If not, why not? Don�t accept a different offer. If you arrive at a location and �your accommodation isn�t quite ready� or they have �decided to move you to a different location� then use the ticket in your hand and get straight back on the plane. Things will go from bad to worse. Make sure you can return to your point of origin. Imagine arriving in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait or Oman with only a one way ticket. Your accommodation turns out to be a cockroach infested dive, with broken air conditioning. The temperature inside is 40 degrees C plus. What will you do? Don�t laugh and think it can�t happen. It can and it does.
Never, ever, part with your passport. It may be the last you see of it. Without your passport you are a prisoner in a foreign country. No good employer will take your passport. If a visa is needed, then go yourself with the company representative to obtain it.

If the accommodation is going to be great, then ask for some pictures. If your employer can�t send you a picture of your accommodation, then why not? Something is wrong. It�s not a big deal to take a digital photo and e mail it to you. A good contract will list exactly what will be in your accommodation. This should include a television, fridge, washing machine, bed, dry cleaned or new bedding, sofa and armchairs, and cooker with stove, amongst other things.

Look at the contract. It should be several pages long and very detailed. If it is just a couple of paragraphs typed up in Word last night, don�t accept it. It would be meaningless in legal terms. If your potential employer can�t be bothered to give you a real contract, how do you think they will treat you when you arrive? With great respect? Or with disdain and irritation at having to communicate with such a contemptible nuisance?

Hope this helps a bit. Be careful. Good luck.

[Citizenkane]

[Stephen Jones]

The thing about pictures of your accommodation is that the accommodation may end up looking like nothing in the picture.

At JIC we had an handbook with photos of people's flats, but it was only when I was threatened with physical violence for deception that I found out the Royal Commission was putting single people up in different, and frankly unsatisfactory accommodation.

The passport point is clear for Saudi; employers are supposed to keep it. But even in other Gulf states they will need it to fix visas and so on.

I've never heard of a single employer in the Gulf giving an open return ticket. Make sure you've got enough cash or credit spare to buy one if you need one.

Contracts in English may well have no validity. You need to get the Arabic version translated. Don't trust the employer; I remember finding out when I went to the Teachers' Union in Kuwait that the Arabic version and the English version of the contract differed in various significant details.

If you're worried about being attacked by lunatic colleagues don't come to the Middle East; in fact don't take up TEFL. Lunatic colleagues are an occupational hazard.

[veiledsentiments]

I also feel that our OP is rather unrealistic. I always worked for the top of the line employers... those with the best pay and the best reputations in the Gulf. Here is my take on the demands listed. SJ and CK have covered the situation in Saudi, so I will be referring to the rest of the Gulf that I am more familiar with...

[15yearsinQ8]

the original poster must be posting from utopeia.
certainly not the gulf.

it reminds me of the 'perfect' marriage contract or prenuptial agreement.
maybe the poster is a newly graduated lawyer......
to paraphrase ronald reagan, 'trust (but keep the escape hatch open)'

[helenl]

It is SOP in UAE and Qatar to provide a police clearance certificate from your current country of residence now. HCT and Qatari employers require this before you even arrive.

Your passport will be taken in ALL gulf countries for about 2 - 3 weeks while your Residency/work permit is inserted, it is then returned to you.

HCT has such a wide variety of housing that it would be impossible to send any pictures that you would be assured that that would be your accomodation.

OP has never worked in the GCC.