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What are the Consequences when Breaking a Contract?
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rc81

Joined: 03 Jul 2009
Posts: 85

Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 10:57 am Post subject: What are the Consequences when Breaking a Contract?

I am close to agreeing to an offer to teach in Saudi. The only problem for me is that I really dont feel like I know what to expect. I am not saying that I would want to "pull a runner" from the job but I am curious about the worst case scenario if I did decide it wasnt right for me to be there. I have read that in China, a negative reference from a previous employer will basically make it impossible to get another work visa. Is the same sort of thing true in Saudi?

Citizenkane

Joined: 14 Jun 2009
Posts: 234
Location: Xanadu

Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 11:04 am Post subject:

Quote:

I have read that in China, a negative reference from a previous employer will basically make it impossible to get another work visa. Is the same sort of thing true in Saudi?

It's worse than that.

If you break your contract, it's very likely that your employer will refuse to give you the LONO (Letter of No Objection) meaning that you can't get another job in the Kingdom - unless of course you 'lose' your passport, but that's another discussion. In fact, some employers won't give you a LONO even if you do complete your contract with them.

perfectweapon

Joined: 12 Dec 2009
Posts: 58
Location: Roaming the wild blue yonder

Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 11:34 am Post subject: Re: What are the Consequences when Breaking a Contract?

rc81 wrote:

I am close to agreeing to an offer to teach in Saudi. The only problem for me is that I really dont feel like I know what to expect. I am not saying that I would want to "pull a runner" from the job but I am curious about the worst case scenario if I did decide it wasnt right for me to be there.

I have read that in China, a negative reference from a previous employer will basically make it impossible to get another work visa. Is the same sort of thing true in Saudi?

Why are you worried about doing a runner you are not in Saudi, and you haven't signed a contract. If you feel like that don't go end of story.

007

Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom

Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 11:50 am Post subject: Re: What are the Consequences when Breaking a Contract?

rc81 wrote:

I am not saying that I would want to "pull a runner" from the job but I am curious about the worst case scenario if I did decide it wasnt right for me to be there.

Well, the worst case is that you put your resignation, and you have to pay two months of your salary to your employer. And your passport will be clean!

scot47

Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343

Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 1:36 pm Post subject:

If you feel this way do not come to KSA

Sheikh N Bake

Joined: 26 Apr 2007
Posts: 1307
Location: Dis ting of ours

Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 2:20 pm Post subject:

What happens? Dey break your legs. Bada bing, bada boom, end of story.

perfectweapon

Joined: 12 Dec 2009
Posts: 58
Location: Roaming the wild blue yonder

Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 2:32 pm Post subject: Re: What are the Consequences when Breaking a Contract?

[quote="rc81"]I am close to agreeing to an offer to teach in Saudi. Hey guys this tells me that he is not in Saudi, so as I stated why is he worried about pulling a runner? If you are not in a country how can you pull a runner?

Kalima Shahada

Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Posts: 198
Location: I live in a house, but my home is in the stable.

Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 3:28 pm Post subject: Re: What are the Consequences when Breaking a Contract?

rc81 wrote:

If you come into the country on a proper work visa, you do not have any chance to 'pull a runner,' at least not before they process your Iqama, which can take many months. The only way to get out of the country is to beg your employer to process you an exit visa. They don't have to do it either. They could refuse you an exit visa, kick you out on your tail, fail to pay you and get you blacklisted from ever entering the country again. So how would you like to be out on the street with no money, no exit visa, no passport because they took it and and no way to get OUT OF SAUDI?!!! Does that help to answer your questions?

Last edited by Kalima Shahada on Tue Dec 22, 2009 4:12 pm; edited 2 times in total

rc81

Joined: 03 Jul 2009
Posts: 85

Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 3:28 pm Post subject:

scot47 wrote:

If you feel this way do not come to KSA

responses like this are just obvious and boring. i am not in saudi now and ive never been before. there is nothing wrong with trying to get an idea of what the situation would look like if it turned out i wasn't happy there.

scot47

Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343

Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 3:34 pm Post subject:

You could start by reading some of the threads here. Displays of petulance are unlikely to get you anywhere.

rc81

Joined: 03 Jul 2009
Posts: 85

Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 3:34 pm Post subject:

Kalima Shahada wrote:

If you come into the country on a proper work visa, you not have any chance to 'pull a runner,' at least not before they process your Iqama, which can take many months. The only way to get out of the country is to beg your employer to process you an exit visa. They don't have to do it either. They could refuse you an exit visa, kick you out on your tail, fail to pay you and get your blacklisted from ever entering the country again. So how would you like to be out on the street with no money, no exit visa, no passport because they took and and no way to get OUT OF SAUDI?!!! Does that help to answer your questions?

yeah, to some extent. but i am surprised anyone would go there if the possibilities are that extreme. if a teacher goes there, and it turns out to be a bad fit, it sounds like you are saying there is no way for to leave the situation amicably.

also, i only used the term "pull a runner" because it was easy to get the point across. the title of the thread should have helped make that more clear.

Kalima Shahada

Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Posts: 198
Location: I live in a house, but my home is in the stable.

Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 4:29 pm Post subject:

rc81 wrote:

Kalima Shahada wrote:

yeah, to some extent. but i am surprised anyone would go there if the possibilities are that extreme.

I'm just stating the facts. I didn't even come close to talking about the 'extreme' cases. Ask about the one guy who couldn't get an exit visa and it ended up costing him more than a year's worth of salary to get out of Saudi. Hey, I've had a chance to get to know some of the maids who've been in Saudi for years trying to get an exit visa from their employers who never paid them. So why do people still go there? Well, people (like teenagers) always think the bad things will never happen to them.

Quote:

if a teacher goes there, and it turns out to be a bad fit, it sounds like you are saying there is no way for to leave the situation amicably.

I didn't say that. I'm saying that you can't pull a runner before you get the Iqama with a multiple entry. It's not easy to break a contract in Saudi and leave amicably or on good terms.

MOD EDIT

tacomaboywa

Joined: 18 Jan 2009
Posts: 194
Location: The Magic Kingdom

Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 6:00 pm Post subject:

Kalima Shahada wrote:

rc81 wrote:

Kalima Shahada wrote:

yeah, to some extent. but i am surprised anyone would go there if the possibilities are that extreme.

This is a very negative outlook on things! However, since we are talking about FACTS, the fact is that this forum is about Teachers/teaching in KSA. Also, we are most often referring to Western Passport holders. Yes, it is an unfortunate FACT that 3rd world workers in KSA are often treated like dirt and they are taken advantage of since they can't afford any legal recourse and are often discriminated against in the legal system. Now, is the person you mentioned, who couldn't exit without is costing more than year's salary, a western passport holder and teacher?

Kalima Shahada wrote:

rc81 wrote:

]if a teacher goes there, and it turns out to be a bad fit, it sounds like you are saying there is no way for to leave the situation amicably.

I didn't say that. I'm saying that you can't pull a runner before you get the Iqama with a multiple entry. It's not easy to break a contract in Saudi and leave amicably or on good terms.

@rc81: Just keep in mind that there are many people working in KSA that like their jobs and have had no major problems. Since it is KSA, there are going to be some problems along the way. However, they tend to be minor inconveniences. If you take a job here, be sure to negotiate as much as possible and have it in writing (contract) before entering the country. Then you are less likely to have many problems and hopefully you would not have to possibly break the contract. Be sure to follow the contract and labor laws so that in the worst case scenario you can bring the case to Labor Court. (legal workers only = employment visa)

MOD EDIT

BTW - Don't come to work in KSA on anything but an Employment Visa.

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Cleopatra

Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago

Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 6:26 pm Post subject:

Quote:

BTW - Don't come to work in KSA on anything but an Employment Visa.

+1

I have to agree with rc81. Why would anyone go to KSA if they think there is a big chance that the situation will become so unbearable that they'll want to do a runner so quickly that they can't even wait for a visa.

Now, extreme stituaitons do happen, but thankfully they're pretty rare. I do think you're giving advice based entirely on yoru own personal experience, which does not reflect that of most other posters.

veiledsentiments

Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA

Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 7:28 pm Post subject:

Cleopatra wrote:

I have to agree with rc81. Why would anyone go to KSA if they think there is a big chance that the situation will become so unbearable that they'll want to do a runner so quickly that they can't even wait for a visa.

I'm confused... isn't rc81 the original poster. Isn't s/he the one who is asking about doing a runner before s/he has even been offered a job?

I think rc81 is putting the cart before the horse here. First get an offer... be clear on what kind of visa they will be giving you. Then is the time to ask what kind of an employer they are and what might happen if you want to leave.

The answer to the question can vary a lot by employer. (and as has been pointed out... perhaps the passport of rc81)

VS

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