Job Discussion Forums

teechar · Joined: 24 Jan 2010 Posts: 30 Location: USA

Hi all,

I get the impression that the majority of the posters here are men.

I would like some feedback from women teaching in the Middle East.

I know this is really a general query, but any advice about the application process, interviewing and working would be appreciated. Do you think it is more difficult for a woman to get a job? Is she paid less? These are a couple of curiosities that have arisen reading over posts here.

Feel free to PM me as well. I would like to "get to know" women who are teaching or have taught in the ME.

Thanks,

Teechar

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Salary discrimination is usually based on passport or ethnicity in the tertiary education system. Western/European/Australians generally are paid better than their Indian/Pakistani/Philippino and other than GCC Arab counterparts.

The application/interview process are the same for everyone. As for working here, you do what you signed on for (and at some places, more than you signed on for).

It is not more difficult for a woman to get a job. The most difficult part for most women is the constant staring when out in certain areas. However, while uncomfortable, I've never felt unsafe. They look but don't touch.

MrScaramanga · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 221

As just about everywhere else in the world, women are paid less in the ME than men. I know women with more qualifications than their male counterparts and the same amount/quality of experience who get significantly lower salaries -- both at HCT and UAEU.
Alas...
MrS

15yearsinQ8 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 462 Location: kuwait

Even at the college level, there's an unspoken bias TOWARDS women teaching female students and most staffs i've been on (4 universities in kuwait) had more women teachers than men.
However, the colleges usually like a few men on staff and will hire them to keep these unspoken quota at a minimum - even over a more qualified women.
So it cuts both ways.
Most places a married woman can't sponsor her husband or get married benefits so that part of their salary is less compared to a married male.

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

At HCT (in my own experience so I can't speak for everyone) as a woman, I was not discriminated against financially - but I was in content which sometimes is a world apart from EFL. At HCT as a female (no matter in which teaching discipline), the benefits and sponsorship was the same. I can't speak to the salary as it was not a topic I discuss in any workplace. At the tertiary level in UAE a female can sponsor her husband so far as I am aware, but I stand to be corrected.

Oh, and before anyone jumps and asks how can I be sure I'm not discriminated against financially? It's because others cannot keep their mouths shut.

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 6:45 pm Post subject:

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 6:54 pm Post subject:

"At the tertiary level in UAE a female can sponsor her husband so far as I am aware, but I stand to be corrected."

Correction unneeded.

NCTBA

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

mindloop · Joined: 25 Feb 2010 Posts: 18

Is this what I can expect if I come to Saudi Arabia

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article38061.ece

Does this apply to expat wives too? I've just accepted a job there. So has my husband!

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 5:48 am Post subject: Re: In Saudi Arabia

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 1:36 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I'd think that it only applies to nationals...my wife never needed a mahram when travelling...

NCTBA

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The article referred to Saudi and GCC nationals. As a foreigner here you may be on your husband's iqama. If so, he has to apply for your exit visa.