Job Discussion Forums

manc47 · Joined: 15 Apr 2003 Posts: 16 Location: Hong Kong

I was recently offered a teaching position in Jeddah. On the face of it, I thought it was reasonable (SR10,000 per month, 30 days paid vacation, medical insurance and annual air ticket to the UK) but then learned that this would NOT include housing. When I asked for clarification, I was told that the monthly compensation package breaks down as follows: base salary 8,000, housing allowance 1,500 and transportation allowance 500. I was also told that I would be required to work 48 hours per week (with
overtime paid for more than 36 contact hours), which seems excessive.

The suicide bombings in Riyadh are probably reason enough to pass on this deal (regardless of its merits) but I'd like to ask you Saudi veterans two questions: How competitive is a base salary of SR8,000, given the excessive numbers of hours required and is SR1,500 a reasonable housing allowance? I was under the impression, perhaps mistakenly, that all or most jobs in the KSA included free housing.

Thanks.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

This is not a good deal. Employers here must by law either provide housing or pay you a housing allowance. For the figure you mention you would not get anything special. Something pretty awful might be your lot.

Conditions in the K of SA are not as good as they used to be. That together with the deteriorating security situation will lead to there being fewer takers for jobs here. So you can look for something better than this.

manc47 · Joined: 15 Apr 2003 Posts: 16 Location: Hong Kong

Cheers, scot47. I appreciate the advice.

johnslat · Posted: Wed May 14, 2003 6:41 am Post subject: Second Opinion

Dear manc47,
Just in case you want a second opinion, I agree completely with scot47.
Regards,
John
( P.S. You two 47s aren't related, are you? )

manc47 · Joined: 15 Apr 2003 Posts: 16 Location: Hong Kong

cheers, johnslat.

I doubt that scot47 and I are related, though I suspect the choice of numbers may have been inspired by the same thing Wink

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Housing allowance should be at least two months salary, so the amount they quote is correct, though you would be out of pocket unless you stayed at least three years since you would have to buy all your furniture and appliances.

It doesn't sound like a very good deal at all; where is it?

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

That deal sucks!

Anyway most people are considerig leaving not coming to Saudi !!

manc47 · Joined: 15 Apr 2003 Posts: 16 Location: Hong Kong

Yes, I'm inclined to agree. I'd assumed that housing would be included and was a little shocked to discover that I'd have to find my own and pay for it.

Anyway, I'd decided to give it a miss, even before the bombings. Needless to add, I wouldn't consider it now, even if the package included housing.

beenthere96-2005 · Joined: 01 Aug 2010 Posts: 79 Location: St Louis

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Remember - winners do not come to SA - or to DoBuy

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

A very small percentage of the EFLing wage slaves in KSA !