Job Discussion Forums

BillCowher · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 131 Location: Up in the air!!!

I am in Najran, working for Education Experts and, like everyone, was hired through Education Experts. Although this was to be my first pay and was late due to the hajj, it is now 3 more days late with no end in sight. Everything is, "tomorrow inshala, later inshala, the bank system is offline, in one hour inshala, no problem." It is a HUGE problem!!!

Nobody can even tell us what day is supposed to be payday. Nobody seems to be in charge. I believe Skyline Global did the job they were paid to do, which was to locate and screen applicants. I wonder if THEY have been paid by Education Experts? The non-western professional staff has not been paid by EdEx since at least July and things are become worrying. The western teaching staff was paid several day late last month as well and things do not look good.

Many of us may have to exercise our return tickets if we can get the dates changed so we are not losing that money as well as our visa fees and related transport costs.

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

BillCowher · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 131 Location: Up in the air!!!

I/we were not hired through Education Experts. We were hired BY EdEx but the recruiter was Skyline Global Solutions.

Citizenkane · Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 234 Location: Xanadu

Have to agree with the above poster: Unless you are really desperate, do not go to Saudi Arabia unless you have a proper work visa, or your employer guarantees - in writing - that he will procure you such a visa asap after your arrival.

Having salaries paid a few days late on occasion is nothing to get too worried about, especially given it's Haj time. However, this seems to be getting very serious at this stage.

BillCowher · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 131 Location: Up in the air!!!

12:00 noon & pay has arrived, no visa or transport refunds yet, hoping but most of us still think the EdEx situation is terminal.

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 2:56 pm Post subject:

As so many of us tried to say all summer, it is NOT the abaya, the mutaween, the inability to drive, the lack of alcohol or pork, the lack of interaction with women.....we can all manage to put up with these things for a while.

It is the inability of many* workplaces to fulfill their promises to you in terms of pay, immigration documentation, housing, and transportation that will send you running from KSA.

*certainly not all....the usual disclaimer...

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I can honestly say that I have no complaints about my employer in any of these respects !

johnslat · Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 3:38 pm Post subject:

Dear scot47,

Ah, but then, you work at a place that direct hires on "work visas" and doesn't use the "recruiter system," right?

Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Indeed, I am on the square !

Kalima Shahada · Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 3:33 pm Post subject:

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The work visa is a necessary but not sufficient condition for a reasonable working environment. Avoid any set-up where your employer maximises his income by minimising yours. That is the case in many language schools - not just in KSA. They get more by paying you less.

That is why I prefer to be in the State Sector, where I have conditions that are similar to those for civil servants.

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

Kalima Shahada · Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 1:25 am Post subject:

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

Cleopatra · Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 6:05 am Post subject:

Scot is right, as usual. Having a full employment visa by no means guarantees that you will not be mistreated. However, agreeing to work on a 'business visa' almost guarantees that you will be!