Job Discussion Forums

bpmull · Joined: 27 Nov 2010 Posts: 5

I went to work for PMU (Prince Mohammed University) as one of the original set of teachers there. I finished my first contract and had my contract renewed for an additional two years.

In February 2009, however, when I was returning to work after the semester break, I was held on the boundary for more than nine hours without any reason. Then, although all of my papers were up-to-date and in order, I was reused entry.

I contacted PMU and was told that they would clear the boundary. After three months, however, I was fired. They claimed that I was fired because I never returned from the semester break.

In August 2009, I received a copy of my bank statement for February. It shows that the deposit made for the February 2009 payment was 500 SAR short. This deposit was made just two days after I went on vacation -- long before we were due back from semester break. In fact, if you know anything about PMU, you know that the decisions for the amount to be deposited are made long before the actual deposit. Therefore, I was fired, without notice, before going on semester break. This violates their contract which says that they must give two months notice or pay a penalty.

All of my things were left in Saudi Arabia as I was expecting to be gone one week. I wrote to them several times about all of this but never received any reply until more than a year later. Then they said that they could not find any of my things.

The short is this: They owe me for my end-of-service for the years completed, the penalty for firing me without notice, and reimbursement for my things. In addition, I cannot access my money in the bank, either.

I need the name and contact information (email preferred -- if they actually read their email) for a good, reliable lawyer who can help me to get what is owed to me. Can anyone help?

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 8:34 am Post subject:

sheikher · Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 291

Why were you refused entry? Business visit visa? Belligerence due to the delay? Drunk? Hung over?

What is meant by "clear the boundary"?

Were you fired three months later in absentia?

If your employment documents were left with your personal effects and they've all been dumped by PMU, you are up a creek with no paddle.

PMU is a public institution. Hire a lawyer locally where you are and attempt to launch a lawsuit via the Saudi Arabia embassy. To keep in communication with a lawyer here is very difficult and expensive.

Why have you waited nearly two years to consider a lawsuit?

Another option would be to secure a position at a reputable university, enter KSA and launch a lawsuit on the side.

More info required!

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 11:31 am Post subject:

007 · Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 1:31 pm Post subject:

Well, I guess he meant by 'boundary' the 'borders', and was held in the borders not 'boundary'!
It seems when they checked in the computer system, they find that either his re-entry visa has expired ( which I doubt it, because if it was expired the airlines will not allow him to board the aeroplane), or PMU put a 'nasty' notice in the computer system, and cancelled his contract which makes his re-entry visa invalid, in other words, if his name is not cleared in the system then the borders are not cleared for him!
I guess this is what happened to him in the borders of the Magic Kingdom.

bpmull, one option for you is to take your case to the Amnesty International, at least to embarrass Uncle Bandar and Issa! Laughing

sheikher · Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 291

If the border or "boundary" was the causeway from Bahrain, no airline would have been implicated.

OF COURSE it is possible to take the Saudi government to court! Princes in Saudi Arabia have scores of cases agains them! The diwan al mazelem -- gov't grievance court -- is inundated with cases. http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2010120388518

The OP's major problem will be retrieving lost documents and finding a government accredited translator. The Saudi embassy, and every court, requires documents in Arabic.

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 2:16 pm Post subject:

007 · Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 2:28 pm Post subject:

sheikher · Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 291

I cannot believe the naivety of posters who claim present or past residency in Saudi Arabia!

Here's one: Prince Mohammad bin Fahd, Governor of Eastern Province.

'Nuff said!

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 3:42 pm Post subject:

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

You have waited for 22 months to transpire before thinking about taking action ? Time to move on, I would suggest.

sheikher · Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 291

Cleo: Do your research, then get snarky. I do not suffer fools gladly.

Back to the topic and scot47's remark, Labor law Article 222:

(1) No case shall be accepted by the commissions provided for in this Law involving a claim of the rights provided for in this Law or arising from a work contract after twelve months following termination of the work relation.
(2) No case involving a claim of the rights provided for in the previous Labor Law shall be accepted after twelve months following the effective date of this Law.
(3) No complaint regarding violations of the provisions of this Law or the regulations and decisions issued hereunder shall be accepted after twelve months following the date of the occurrence of the violation.

You can look it up.

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

It appears that we are talking about a few months pay... lawyer fees will very quickly equal that. And who is going to decide any value on property that is now long gone? Even if you found a lawyer and had a good case, you would still be looking at years before you get anything. I know teachers who have sued various employers in the Gulf and won... average about 3 years to any payment. And they were all in-country to keep the case moving.

I agree with Scot... after this long and for this amount of money... just move on... and take it as a lesson to stay far away from Saudi.

VS

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 3:57 pm Post subject:

sheikher · Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 291

Yes, please, look it up: http://www.unodc.org/documents/human-trafficking/Islamic_Law_TIP_E_ebook_18_March_2010_V0985841.pdf

Having spoken ten minutes ago on the phone with a Saudi judge, I have authority to quote him: "Yes, there are hundreds and hundreds of cases" against royalty in the Kingdom.

My hijack endeth here.