Job Discussion Forums

[Sweaty Ted]

King Khalid University
Beginning 25 August 2012
Rank: language instructor
Monthly salary: 4,080 Riyal (US$1,087.97)
Monthly transport allowance: 500 Riyal (US$133.33)
Housing allowance: 17,000 Riyal (US$4,533.22)
Once-off furniture allowance: 8,500 Riyal (US$2,266.61)
Special Professional/Exceptional Allowance%: 100%
Other: no

"In addition, there is an monthly allowance of ___350 x 10 ___ riyal for every years relevant experience up to a maximum of 5 years. Please provide proof of experience by Date, Month and Year.

Duration of contract: one year

"King Khalid University will issue you and three accompanying immediate family members ___Economy____ class return tickets air tickets from your home town to Abha annually on condition that you fulfill at least six months of your contractual obligations. Failure to do so will result in the value of these tickets being reclaimed from you."

[johnslat]

Dear Sweaty Ted,

Do you know what this means:

"Special Professional/Exceptional Allowance%: 100%?"

I certainly hope it means a lot more money for you because that monthly salary is, frankly, ridiculous.

Monthly salary: 4,080 Riyal (US$1,087.97)

I'm not sure what the current rents are in Asir, but that housing allowance seems mighty low, too.

Regards,
John

[Sweaty Ted]

If my calculations are correct, 350 x 10 riyal per month for every year of experience up to a maximum of five would equal 3,500 x 5 years of experience. 17,500 Riyal added on to the original base salary. Based on my experience and qualifications, I have been told the average for me would be about US$4,000 per month.

[johnslat]

Dear Sweaty Ted,

I hope you're right. We used to get an extra 350 SR a month for every additional year of experience (4,200 SR a year).

But this is something I hadn't heard of before:

" . . . 350 x 10 riyal per month for every year of experience. . ."

Regards,
John

[veiledsentiments]

[KME0050]

Sweaty Ted,

If I remember correctly (from my contract with KKU), I think the 100% refers to the "native speaker bonus" which means that you will receive a 100% increase (double the base salary) for being a native speaker.

Sorry, but I have no memory of how the formula for years of experience works.

Regarding the housing allowance, I think it is fine. Abha is much, much cheaper than, say, Jeddah or Riyadh and you can get by 17,000 SAR very easily. I rented a lovely, furnished, very spacious 2-bedroom "American style" apartment (for just myself) in a rather new, and very nice building for 2000 SAR/month. My Arab teacher-friends were all renting apartments for half of what I was paying (but then again, their salaries were half of what mine was). You can get a decent one-bedroom, furnished apartment in Abha for 1000--1500 SAR no problem. Also, if you rent a furnished apartment, you will likely just bank the furniture allowance.

Our friend on the men's campus may be able to help you understand the rest of this wacky contract. . . .