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Anglophony · Joined: 13 Dec 2011 Posts: 19

I was recently told that some ex-pats in Dubai who had car/business contracts unpaid were detained and even jailed until debts were settled. Does this happen in Oman? What happens to teachers who simply can't stay for the full length of contract? (not running, but have a death/hardship in family). Just wondering if they are banned, hassled at border, have troubles in other UAE countries? Haven't seen this addressed on the forum, but if UNI springs for 1 year of rent in advance -it seems a major burden for them.

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

I hadn't heard that any of those jailed for unpaid debts in the UAE were teachers. Most of the people jailed had massive credit card debt and/or perhaps some shady business dealings... had been fired and that is how they came to being stopped from departure. Actually most of the stories one heard was about the un-paid-for luxury cars that were abandoned in the airport parking lots when the owner absconded - thus avoiding jail.

It hasn't been much of an issue in Oman and no one has mentioned any "debtors" being jailed here. If you do depart leaving bills, you will encounter problems coming back to another job. It will come up in the security check and you will most likely not be hired.

Generally speaking the way to avoid the problem is not to get a local credit card or loans if you can avoid it.

VS

Anglophony · Joined: 13 Dec 2011 Posts: 19

Thanks for your reply, VS

Actually, wasn't too worried about it. I just read about "runners" leaving bills behind, and wondered how they had gotten apartments. In the UAE the school (if it doesn't provide housing) will make a large loan to a Landlord, and the teacher must it pay back each month. It's big money, it seems.

How does it work in Oman? If 12 months of rent must be "borrowed" by a teacher in order to give to a landlord -this would seem to be a pretty hefty bill left behind. It would seem to certainly add to a teacher's worries if they 1. couldn't give a lot of notice at work before leaving, and, 2. owed 8 months rent. lol Just haven't seen this issue addressed much on this forum.

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

I suspect that it has never been addressed here as it has never been an issue. I think you are confusing the furniture allowance in the UAE, which is written off over the 3 years of your contract and if you give notice and leave early, the balance is taken from your final pay. I've never heard of "rent loans." If employers don't provide a flat, they pay the teacher a rental allowance and the teacher pays the rent. No way to know the policy at all employers... especially the small private schools/colleges.

Obviously the answer is to give proper notice and pay off any bills before you go... or abscond with the knowledge that you won't be able to work in the country again... or if it is an extremely large amount - with a big bank involved, you may be blocked in the GCC.

VS

Anglophony · Joined: 13 Dec 2011 Posts: 19

Interesting.

It wasn't the furniture allowance in the UAE, but in particular a large loan which Kaplan offered to loan me, in order to pay a landlord for 1 year of rent ( example: 100k AED). This money would be are paid back to Kaplan in monthly amounts from one's housing allowance. At least, that's what was described to me by Kaplan.

It seemed to be frightening to borrow/lend so much in the beginning. I thought a similar system may exist in Oman and one might need loans/guarantors.

So, Omani apartments do not require deposits either? -Just the monthly rent?

I've never had the need to "run" from a country -lol I've always paid my bills.

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

Ah... Kaplan... this may be a new policy that employers are using to avoid having to actually rent flats for their teachers. Or it could be something dreamed up by Kaplan. One can barely keep up with their 'creativity' to lower our benefits. Rolling Eyes

I didn't mention anything about the requirements of Omani landlords. Personally both of my employers there provided furnished flats, so I never dealt with them.

No current Oman teachers have posted, so that hopefully means that this isn't an issue for most of them. We'll have to wait and see if anyone shows up...

VS