Job Discussion Forums

kopeyka · Joined: 10 Nov 2010 Posts: 5

Howdy,

I�ve been offered 6500 USD (including 2500 housing allowance) for Aramco (through an agency) at Ras Tanura. From my admittedly limited experience of Saudi 10 years back, it seems reasonable enough to me, broadly speaking.

However, as I don�t know anything about the cost of living in RT, I�d be grateful if someone might find a minute or 2 to fill me in on the options and costs there (compounds, private villa, hotel room, etc.)?

Before anyone suggests I ask the agency in question, I have done. However, this being the KSA, the response wasn't as detailed as it could have been. And anyway, irrespective of the info they gave, I'd like to get a more 'objective' view on the situation.

If your reply starts with �This topic has been done to death so I suggest�� then don't bother but please accept my apologies for not having the time to trawl back pages � it�s posted for anyone with a minute or 2 to spare to share their knowledge/experience.

Cheers.

Markemark · Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 82 Location: ksa

$6500 and you think it's "reasonable," do you?
It is reasoanble if you're a chemical engineer, or refinery worker in some capacity. It's not good of course, but "reasonable," as a chemical engineer gets around $80,000 in the US anyhow.
Now if you're an EFL teacher who thinks this is "reasonable", either,
a) It's bait and switch and you're about to be scammed in which case you deserve our pity.
b) You're a nice guy, who just doesn't understand this salary is really good- even though as a lowly esl teacher you hardly deserve it.
c) You're not a nice guy at all but a whining snot with a sense of entitlement to a salary you don't deserve.
You ever heard the tale of the beggarly tramp invited to the lord of the manor's dinner table who then frowned and said, "Well I suppose this fare is somewhat reasonable."

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2010 2:56 pm Post subject:

OP...it seems that Markemark got up with only one nerve and you seem to have gotten on it! Laughing

NCTBA

sheikher · Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 291

Information regarding Aramco's "officially recognized" agents from a very credible, highly placed, source. Dated 23 July 2009.

Vendor...Contact Person...Tel#...E-mail

HAKA Bijui 858-0518 Ext. 124 [email protected]

AL FALAK Jawad Nadeem 859-2748 [email protected]

SRACO Toto Segundo 843-3441 Ext. 385 [email protected]

AL HOTY Eric Loresco 894-8020 [email protected]

AL HUGAYET Shabu/Rahman 833-1667 Ext.223 [email protected]

ITM Peter 896-600 [email protected]

JATCO Ardee Denila 833-6610 Ext. 123 [email protected]

KW Nelson Bundies 801-0000 Ext.1074 [email protected]

RSAL Jess Arcillas 849-4400 Ext. 1030 [email protected]

SAUDI SAI Fatehi Al Rashid 801-0203 [email protected]

Any agent seemingly reluctant to provide sufficient details to applicants raises a mighty large, wildly flapping, red flag. Bait and switch is common among agents, and is not unknown to university direct hires.

Your experience a decade ago may well represent KSA's ESL sector in its golden era. The business sector has since caught on to many tricks of the trade.

Proceed as you would with a Nigerian offer!

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2010 5:18 pm Post subject:

sheikher · Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 291

My source's...how you say...bad.

Try http://www.itm.com.sa/

kopeyka · Joined: 10 Nov 2010 Posts: 5

Markemark · Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 82 Location: ksa

Well then, if it's C, I suggest as would most others here, that you shouldn't be lured to KSA by the money because you simply won't survive.
I say that because either Aramco students will boot you out, or you'll fall foul of the incessant contractor politics. Do you have any idea that you are expendable and that this attitude you have that a good salary will be magically translated into enhanced personal esteem is a mirage?
Simply believing that you're worth something won't be enough to offset the inevitable crack up when you find that you're simply treated like chaff here.
As for the tale above, it's a common enough sing song from well paid efl teachers who end up begging to get out, or are thrown out. If you don't have the required starry eyed graitude from the very start at coining an Aramco salary- then don't come. Your Saudi experience is minimal, you said so yourself. Don't do it, pal.

desertdawg · Joined: 14 Jun 2010 Posts: 206

My knowledge about Abquak and a contracter living there.

I was in Abquak recently dropping off a friend after his weekend's r&r at the pub at the end of the pier (Bahrain). The drive from pub to hotel can be done in 2hrs with a fair wind. Abquak is also connected by train to Dammam. About 1hr.

The accommodation in Abquak seems to be a hotel. No cooking facilities. Pretty basic. Not to Western standards but bearable. Western toilet, not the squat. Around SAR1200/month. In Riyadh I paid SAR3000

If you want a compound, it could cost anything from SAR90000 annually.

You should be able to hire a decent car for less than SAR2000/month.

Doable and an OK salary. Not spectacular as no benefits are given. As previous posters have said you will earn your cash and as a contracter you will be treated worse than others. But congratulations on the offer. Consider it carefully. In my opinion it is a hardship/remote posting. A good opportunity to save if you enjoy your own company, can endure a difficult working and living environment and can limit visits to Bahrain/make friends on compounds in Dammam/Khobar/Dhahran.

Sorry. Don't know anything about RN.

Hope that helps. Feel free to ask any further questions.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2010 6:19 am Post subject:

"Abquak" is what the AFLAK duck says in ABQAIQ! Rolling Eyes

Besides, the OP is asking about Ras Tanura...which is a world away from Abqaiq!

NCTBA

desertdawg · Joined: 14 Jun 2010 Posts: 206

Tanks NC. Do u have any specifics to offer the poster?

RT and Abqaiq ain't polls apart for contracters. Especially physical distances from available compounds. Which like I said are pretty much out of reach financially.

Low demands of living conditions and budgeted holidays and weekends. Well as our $eptic chums would say; chunka change buddy.

I shall keep my head below da dunes in future. Over a decade in the Arabian Gulf should've learnt me such.

BTW quite partial to the Mac Arabia myself. Will have to try these there ribs.

Mr. Kalgukshi · Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2010 11:50 pm Post subject:

This thread is now locked after several off-topic and derailing postings have been deleted. If you were involved in the off-topic and derailing postings, you may assume this is a final warning regarding your conduct. Anyone continuing to post off-topic and derailing nonsense on any thread on this board will seriously jeopardize his or her tenure here.